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Old Fort Sandoski 

of 1745 and the 
Sandusky Country' 

By Lucy Elliot Keeler 



REPRINTBD FROM OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL 

AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS 

VOLUME xnl, OCTOBER if/oS 



V- 



t^?*^ 



C\ Jl-^' 



OLD FORT SANDOSKI OF 1745 AND THE 

COUNTRY." 



SANDUSKY 



LUCY ELLIOT KEELER. 

My Story will be confined to the sixteen miles which separate 
Fort Stephenson at the Lower Falls of the Sandusky river, (now 
Fremont), from the banks of Lake Erie, at the mouth of the 
Portage river, (Port Clinton), the point visited by all Indians 
and French in coming from or gomg to Detroit and the north- 
west ; and later the point 
from which General Harri- 
son's army left American soil 
to pursue the British in Can- 
ada in his successful cam- 
paign terminating at the Bat- 
tle of the Thames, October 5, 
1813. 

Although the distance by 
land over this trail is only six- 
teen miles, nevertheless by the 
windings and turnings of the 
Sandusky river the distance to 
old Fort Sandoski on the 
north side of the bay is some 
forty miles. Within this short 
distance we shall hope to show 
you old Fort Sandoski, the 
first fort built by white men in 
Ohio, in 1745 ; diagonally opposite to it the French Fort Junundat, 
built in 1754, where the first white child was born in Ohio, of 
French parentage ; thence up the river twenty miles to the home 
of James Whitaker and Elizabeth Foulks Whitaker, his wife, 
the first permanent white settlers in Ohio, who were brought to 
the Sandusky country as prisoners by the Wyandots in 1774 and 
1776 respectively, adopted as Indians and married at Detroit in 

(357) 




RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



358 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

1 78 1, and immediately settled on what has since been known as 
the VVhitaker Reservation ; Fort Stephenson, here in Fremont, 
the place first brought into prominence in American history by 
the presence of the famous Revolutionary patriot, Israel Put- 
nam, who commanded the Colonial troops from Connecticut in 
the Bradstreet expedition of 1764; the place to which General 
Washinoton sent Captain Brady to ascertain the war-like inten- 
tions of the Indians in 1780; where the British established a tem- 
porary fort in 1782 during the Revolutionary war; where General 
Wayne promised to build an American fort in 1795 to protect 
the friendly Indians against the encroachments of the British 
Indians; where finally the youthful Major George Croghan on 
the. 2d of August, 181 3, defeated the combined forces of the 
British under Proctor and the Indians under Tecumseh in the 
famous battle of Fort Stephenson ; and to Spiegel Grove, the 
home of Rutherford Birchard Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes, the 
typical American home of the last half of the 19th century. My 
desire is to show how this Sandusky country was one of the 
great natural runways of the Indians in their migrations between 
the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, to the (3hio and the 
Mississippi Rivers ; of the French, who cannily imitated the In- 
dian in his method of travel and woodland life ; of the English, 
coming in from the east to possess the land ; and of the Ameri- 
cans, in expelling the English from the country. 

The term Sandusky, in all military and frontier history is 
broadly used, having been applied by the Indians not only to the 
river but to the valley and the Indian villages situated at the 
upper and lower rapids (L'pper and Lower Sandusky), and the 
bay, or "little lake." This ubiquitous nomenclature has not 
unnaturally led many persons of the present day to suppose that 
the flourishing neighboring city of Sandusky was one of the vil- 
lages bearing that name ; whereas the Sandusky city of today was 
unknown until years after the War of 18 12 and was called 
Ogontz's Place, later Portland, and not until a decade after 
the glorious defence of Ft. Stephenson (or "Sandusky" as the 
name is inscribed on the gold medal awarded to Croghan by 
the Congress of the United States), was the name "Sandusky 
City" formally adopted by our neighbor on the Lake. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/4^. 



359 



The Sandusky country in Indian history possesses a peculiar 
charm and fascinating^ interest. During that period of years 
which fills western annals with the story of bloody conflict, the 
valley of the Sandusky river and the Indian village at the lower 
falls of the Sandusky, (now Fremont) were the home of the 
most powerful and war-like of the savage nations. Between the 
period of the old French war of 1755 and the war of 1812, this 
place presented the varied scenes of Indian life — primitive agri- 
culture, rude cabins, canoe Iniilding, amusements, the council 

fire, prisoners running the 
gauntlet and burning at the 
stake. 

Let us go back, however, 
for some two centuries. In 
1534 Cartier found on the 
present sites of Quebec and 
Montreal, Indian tribes who 
were in fierce combat with 
the peoples to the south of 
them — the Senecas and kin- 
dred Iroquois nations. Be- 
tween Cartier's last voyage to 
the St. Lawrence in 1543 and 
the arrival of Champlain in 
1603 but little is definitely 
known of these tribes and 
their wars. According to the 
Jesuit Relation for 1639 a con- 
federacy of four highly organized Huron tribes, doubtless the 
remnants, with additions, of Cartier's Indians who had been 
driven westward, dwelt in the vicinity of Lake Simcoe and Georg- 
ian Bay, and were known as Wendats. This term the English 
later corrupted to Wyandot, while the French continued to use 
the term Huron. In 161 5 Champlain found all these northern 
tribes waging fierce war against the Iroquois tribes in New York. 
When the French established trading posts on the St. Law- 
rence the Hurons made annual trips to the posts, and in 161 5 the 
Jesuits established a mission for them about fifty miles below 




LUCY WEBB PIAYES. 



360 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



Montreal. Father Sagard was the first historian of the mission, 
and is authority for the statement that the Hurons were in the 
habit of sending large war parties to ravage the country of the 
Iroquois. The hostihty between them dated from prehistoric 
times, so that the invasion and destruction of the Huron country 
in 1648-50 by the Iroquois was but the final blow in a struggle 
of almost 100 years. The acquisition of firearms by the Iroquois 
from the Dutch while the Hurons had almost none, was an 
important factor in the success of the Iroquois. Hundreds of 
Hurons were carried captive to the Iroquois country ; others 
escaped to their kindred the Neutrals and the Eries ; and others 

took refuge at Green Bay — where 
the Ottawas joined them; later on 
the south shore of Lake Superior, 
and again at IVIackinac island. In 
1670 we find a remnant of them in 
the palisaded village of St. Ignace. 
Later some of the Hurons moved 
to Detroit, and thence to the San- 
dusky country, in Ohio. 

Mention was made of a kindred 
tribe of the Hurons, the Neutral 
Nation. Tradition has it that long 
before the settlement in the San- 
dusky valley of the fugitive Hurons, 
the Neutral Nation had at Lower 
Sandusky (Fremont) two fortified neutral towns, on opposite 
sides of the Sandusky river, which in the shape of earthworks 
were observed by the pioneer residents of Fremont. 

Major B. F. Stickney, for many years an Indian agent in 
this locality and familiar with its history and traditions, in a 
lecture m Toledo in 1845, speaking of these towns, said: "The 
Wyandots have given me this account of them. At a period of 
two and a half centuries ago all the Indians west of this point 
were at war with those east. Two walled towns were built near 
each other, inhabited by those of Wyandot origin. They assumed 
a neutral character. All of the west might enter the western city 
and all of the east the eastern. The inhabitants of one city might 




COL. WEBB C. HAYES. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 361 

inform those of the other that war parties were there ; but who 
they were or whence they came or anything more must not be 
mentioned." 

Gen. Lewis Cass, in an address in 1829 before the Historical 
society of Michigan, alluding to these neutral towns, said : "During 
the long and disastrous contest which preceded and followed the 
arrival of the Europeans, in which the Iroquois contended for 
victory, and their enemy for existence, this little band preserved 
the integrity of their tribe and the sacred character of peace- 
makers. All who met upon their threshold met as friends. This 
neutral nation was still in existence when the French mission- 
aries reached the upper lakes two centuries ago. The details of 
their history and of their character are meagre and unsatisfactory, 
and this is the more to be regretted as such a sanctuary among 
the barbarous tribes is not only a singular institution but alto- 
gether at variance with that reckless spirit of cruelty with which 
their wars are usually prosecuted." Internal feuds arose, as the 
tradition goes, and the villages were destroyed. 

The first white explorer of all this region was La Salle who 
on Aug. 7, 1679, in his bark the Grififin, sailed from Niagara out 
on the surface of Lake Erie. With him came Father Hennepin 
who wrote that "the lake encloses on its southern bank a tract 
of land as large as the kingdom of France." A map attached to 
Hennepin's work, published in 1683, shows Sandusky bay and 
river drawn to an accurate angle with the southern shore of Lake 
Erie, from which it is evident that La Salle entered Sandusky 
bay and river. 

Although Cadillac had founded Detroit in 1701 it was not 
until 1739 that we begin to gain a little definite information about 
events on the Sandusky, The war chief of the Wyandot or Huron 
tribe before mentioned, was one Orontony or Nicolas, who 
after being worsted in conflict with the French near Detroit, had 
remioved his followers to the mouth of Sandusky River. Nicolas 
was a wily savage wdiose enmity was greatly to be feared, and 
he commanded men who formed an alert, unscrupulous and pow- 
erful body. The French having provoked his bitter hatred, which 
was fomented by English agents, he conspired to destroy the 
French not only at Detroit but at the upper posts. In 1745 




BOURNE'S SURVEY (1820) OF SANDUSKY RIVER, 

showing Indian Trails and Land Portage of Sandusky-Scioto Watercourse from Mouth 
of Portage River, South. Also Military Trails from Ft. Stephenson (1812) to Ft. 
Meigs (1813) and to Ft. Seneca (1813). 

1. Landing Place of French and Indians from Detroit, and Gen. Harrison's 
Embarkation for Canadian Campaign (1813). 

2. Old Fort Sandusky (1745). 

3. French Fort Jununduat (1751). 

4. Williams Reservation (1817). 

5. Whitacre Reservation (1817). 

6. Two Miles Square Reservation at Lower Falls of Sandusky, now Fremont^ 
(1785), and Ft. Stephenson, erected 1812. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/4^. 363 

Nicolas had permitted the Eng-hsh to erect a tradin^q- post or 
blockhouse known as Ft. Sandoski at his principal town on the 
bay and to remain and dispose of their stock. Notwithstanding 
:some discrepancy as to time, the blockhouse which Nicolas per- 
mitted the Eno^lish traders to build was probably the first of the 
English forts, known as Fort Sandusky, built on the portage 
between the Sandusky river and Lake Erie. By August, 1747, 
the Iroquois of the west, the Hurons, Ottawas, Miami, Sioux, 
Shawnees and other tribes, to the number of seventeen, had en- 
tered into the conspiracy. Through the treachery of a Huron 
woman the plot was revealed to a Jesuit priest who communi- 
cated the information to Longueuil, the French commandant at 
Detroit, who in turn notified all the other French posts, and 
although a desultory warfare broke out resulting in a number 
of murders, there was no concerted action. Nicolas finding that 
he had been deserted by his allies, and seeing the activity and 
■determination of the French not to suffer English encroachments 
on what they called French territory, finally in April, 1748, 
destroyed his villages and palisades at (Fort) Sandusky and 
removed with 119 warriors and their families to White River 
(Indiana). Not long after he withdrew to the Illinois country 
■on the Ohio River, where he died in the autumn of 1748. The 
inflexible and determined conduct of Longueuil toward the 
most of the conspiring tribes brought the coalition to an end in 
May, 1748.* 

In 1739 Sieur de Noyelle wrote to the Marquis de Beauharnais 
that "the Hurons had all gathered at Sandoske, although they had been 
told that they have nothing to fear." — Nevertheless "they were armed 
like men who go to fight — bullets in their mouths and in their guns — 
and one Nicolas was their chief." This is our first mention of the re- 
doubtable warrior under whose protection old Fort Sandusky was built. 
These letters to and from Beauharnais dwell upon Nicolas's zeal in pass- 
ing about war belts among the various tribes and his frequent treason 
against the French. "As I fear lest he may hatch something wrong," 

* Summarized from Handbook of the Indians (Bureau Ethnology) ; 
O'Callaghan's "Documents Relative to the Colonial History of New 
York," Vol. X, pp. 83-271 ; and Winsor's "Narrative and Critical His- 
tory of America." Vol. V. Knapps "History of the Maumee Valley" 
and Slocum's "History of the Maumee River Basin" centain excellent 
narratives of this conspiracy. 



364 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



Eeauharnais wrote, "I have sent out orders on all sides to inform me 
of what is going on." M. de Longueuil, commandant at Detroit noted 
in his daily reports, (Documents Relative to New France, vol. Ill), 
that on "on M'ay 20 some Hurons from Detroit established now for 
some years at Sandoske, of the band of the war chief Nicolas, had 
killed five Frenchmen who were returning from White River, and had 
stolen their peltry; that the Indians thereabouts had formed a plan to 
destroy all the French at Detroit during the fete of Pentacost and then 
go to the fort and put all to fire and blood ; that some Hurons had 
struck too soon, the plot has been disclosed by a Huron woman who 
came to warn M. de Longueuil. — Nicolas's band had continued to hold 

themselves at Sandoske where 
they counted not only to protect 
themselves but to harass Detroit 
by little war parties." Following 
letters show that the Sandoske 
Hurons had murdered the five 
Frenchmen under conditions of 
the greatest cruelty. 

Nov. 14, 1747, M. de Longue- 
uil wrote : "Nicolas's band at 
Sandoske are as insolent as ever, 
the chief never ceasing his work 
to get allies — Nicolas will draw 
the English to him and facilitate 
their establishments all along 
Lake Erie." March 20, 1748. 
"The conduct of Nicolas is sus- 
picious. The English in Phila- 
delphia came there twice during 
the winter and were well re- 
ceived. The scalps of the Frenchmen killed near the fort of the Miamis 
(now Ft. Wayne) have been carried there (Sandoske)." May 28, 1748, 
M. de Longueuil reports that a faithful Indian who had gone to gather 
up the Indians who had deserted from the village of Otsandoske (Nic- 
olas's village near the mouth of the river) reported that Nicolas with 
119 warriors of his nation, women and children and baggage, after 
having burned the fort and the cabins of the village, had taken the 
route for White River. — Canadian Archives. 




CAVELIERE DE LA SALLE. 

1643-1687. 



Although Nicolas's career at Fort Sandusky was thus ended, 
the English traders did not give up the foothold they had gained. 
In 1749 La Jonquiere, governor of Canada, learned tO' his great 
indignation that several English traders had again reached the 
Sandusky and were "exerting a bad influence upon the Indians of 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1/43. 



365 



that quarter." It was in 1749 also that Captain Pierre de Celoron* 
traversed Ohio with 300 men ; huried leaden plates with the French 
arms thereon at the mouths of the rivers enterinj^ the Ohio from 
the north, claiming the whole country for France. He came north 
by the way of our sister river the Maumee. He told the Indians 
that the English traders would ruin them and drive them out of 
the country, and in this respect he told the truth. He was made 

commandant at Detroit, 
and immediately followed 
the formal claim of France 
to the territory between 
Lake Erie and the Ohio 
by founding a fort and 
trading post on the bay. 
Doubtless this was that 
Fort Sandoski "usurped by 
the French in 1751," as 
Mitchell's map puts it. In 
1753, a force of 1,200 
French from Montreal 
built forts at Presqu'i-sle, 
La Boeuf and Venango, 
the present sites of Erie, 
Waterford and Venango. 
Du Quesne (Pittsburg) 
was built the next year. 
In 1754 Fort Junundat was 
built on the east or right 
side of the Sandusky bay or river. Gist, the land surveyor of 
the Ohio Company, under date of 1750 thus refers to Ft. San- 
dusky: "Two traders belonging to Mr. Croghan came into town 
and informed us that two of his people had been taken by 40 
Frenchmen and 20 Indians, who carried them with 7 horse loads 
of skins to a new fort the French were building on one of the 
branches of Lake Erie." 

* Known also as Bienville de Celeron ; but our spelling is copied 
from the "Jesuit Relations" (Burrows' Cleveland Edition) of Rev. Father 
Bonnecamps, who accompanied this Ohio expedition. 




JOSEPH GASPARD CHAUSSEGROS de LERY. 

1721-1797. 



366 OJiio Arch, and Hist, Society Publications. 

The location of Old Fort Sandoski, the first fort built b^ 
white men in Ohio, long a subject of earnest research, was defi- 
nitely settled by Col. Webb C. Hayes, of Fremont, and Mr. 
Chas. W. Burrows, of Cleveland, by the discovery, in 1906, of 
the de Lery journals. Mr. Burrows' work in publishing the "Jesuit 
Relations" had familiarized him with the richness of the Can- 
adian archives, and at Colonel Hayes' request he communicated 
with the archivist of Laval University, Quebec, and some clue 
being found, Colonel Hayes and Mr. Burrows at once visited 
the Rev. Father A. E. Jones, S. J., of St. Mary's College, Mon- 
treal, and Abbe Gosselin, archivist of Laval University at 
Quebec, at which latter place the eight de Lery Journals were 
discovered. One of these journals, with its numerous maps and 
accompanying descriptions of the daily journeyings and solar 
observations, settles definitely the exact location of old Fort San- 
doski, the first fort built by white men in Ohio, the location of 
which has until now been in doubt even among our foremost 
historians. The distinguished Col. Charles Whittlesey, long 
president of the Western Reserve Historical Society, in a Tract 
published in 1873 on the forts at Sandusky, had written : 

"It is not easy to determine the precise location of the early 
French and English forts or trading posts on Sandusky Bay. 
The earliest map which has on it the name of this bay is that of 
Henry Popple, London, 1733, where it is called 'Lake Sandoski.' 
Indian traders from Pennsylvania were there in 1748, but prob- 
ably had not then a permanent post or fort. On Mitchell's map, 
London, 1755, and on that of Evans, Philadelphia, same date, there 
is a 'fort' laid down on the north side of the bay near the mouth. 
It is much more probable that this fort, house or post was sit- 
uated where the trail or portage path came out on the bay, across 
the neck from the Portage or Carrying River, at Ottawa. The 
English government had no fortifications there at that time. 
Mitchell states that the fort on the north side, meaning post, was 
'usurped by the French in 175 1.' Fort Junundat, on Evans" map, 
is placed south of the bay and east of Sandusky River, 'built in 
1754.' This was a French establishment for trade, perhaps with 



Old Fort Siiiidoski of 1/45 



367 



U^ 



•liv 



I- 





PART OF MITCHELL'S ]\L\P, 1755. 

(Map of British and French Dominions in North America, by Jno. Mitchell, 
Courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Cleveland.) 



368 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

a stockade for defence against the English and their Indian 
alHes."* 



* The late A. T. Goodman, for many years secretary of the Western 
Reserve Historical Society, in Tract No. 4, published Jan. 1871, has 
the following references to Fort Sandusky : "English traders first made 
their appearance in the Ohio country in 1G99-1700. From that time until 
1745 we frequently hear of them at various towns and stations. In 1745 
they built a small fort or blockhouse among the Hurons on the north 
side of Sandusky Bay. In 1748 they were driven off by a party of 
French soldiers from Detroit. Prior to 17G3 the English in Ohio were 
very few in comparison to the French." 

In Tract No. 6, in "Papers Relating to the First White Settlers 
in Ohio," also by Mr. Goodman, published in July 1871, occurs the fol- 
lowing reference to Fort Sandusky. "As early as the year 1745 English 
traders penetrated as far as Sandusky, or 'St. Dusky,' and established 
a post on the north side of the bay near the carrying place or portage 
from the Portage river across the peninsula. They were driven away 
by the French probably in 1748 or 1749. During this period a celebrated 
Indian trader from Pennsylvania, George Croghan, had a station at or 
near the mouth of the Cuyahoga, then known as the Cayahaga, and 
sometimes as Hioga." 

Tract No. 25 is a 25-page description of the early maps of America, 
by Judge C. C. Baldwin for many years Secretary of the Western Re- 
serve Historical Society and later its president. It was published in 
April, 1875, and especially commands the accuracy of the Evans' and 
Mitchell's maps of 1755, and Pownall's map of 1777. "Lewis Evans was 
an American geographer and surveyor, born about 1700 and died 1756. 
He published a map of the Middle Colonies in 1755 with an analysis. 
The map itself is an epitome of history and geography. It was engraved 
by James Turner, and printed by B. Franklin and D. Hall, in Philadel- 
phia. It was dedicated to Gov. Pownall, who in 1776 published a folio 
with an enlarged analysis, but the same map, in which the Governor 
stood stoutly by his deceased friend against other maps pirated. The 
advance in local knowledge in this map is large. — A map which was 
repeatedly printed, much used and of long authority was Mitchell's. 
John Mitchell, M. D., F. R. S., came to Virginia early in the 18th 
century as a botanist. He lived long in America and died in England 
in 1768. His large and elaborate map has a certificate from John Pownall, 
secretary of the Board of Trade, and brother of Governor Thomas 
Pownall, that it was undertaken at his request, composed from drafts, 
charts, and actual surveys, transmitted from the diiiferent Colonies by 
the Governors thereof. This certificate is dated July 1st, 1755. * * * 
This map was used by the commissioners in making the treaty of peace in 
1783, by which our country became a nation." 

Lewis Evans in the title page to his "Geographical, Historical, 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/43. 



369 





PART OF LEWIS EVANS' MAP, 1775. 

(General map of the Middle British Colonies in America. Courtesy of the 
Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland.) 



Voi. XVII — 24. 



370 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

De Lery in his journal of 1754 refers to Fort Junundat 
when he mentions the fact of his having discharged his rifle and 
otherwise made futile attempts to attract the attention of some 
of the French traders on the opposite side of the bay from the 
ruins of Old Fort iSandusky ; and later speaks of Sieur Gouin, 
a French trader who was settled opposite in a blockhouse or 
trading post. Numerous authorities confirm this, especially 
Evans' map, published the next year, 1755, which locates "Fort 
Junundat, built in 1754," as south of the bay and east of the 
river; and this fort Junundat must have been the one near the 
mouth of Pickerel Creek, now in Townsend township, Sandusky 
county; although the erosions of the bank have caused it to 
disappear. It was from this fort Junundat that many of the 
later Indian trails on the east side of the Sandusky River started. 
It is an interesting fact that the wife of Sieur Gouin, re- 
ferred to by de Lery, is mentioned nine years later as having 
early in May, 1763, seen the Ottawa Indians filing ofif the ends 
of their gun barrels evidently preparing for the surprise and mas- 
sacre of the Detroit garrison under Gladwin by Pontiac. 

In August, 1754, the Chevalier Chaussegros de'Lery, of 
'Quebec, a distinguished engineer of the French army, was ordered 
to accompany an expedition from Presq'isle (Erie) to Detroit 
and Michillimacinac. The expedition started from Presqu'isle 
(Erie) on the 30th of July, 1754, and skirting along the southern 
shore of Eake Erie, entered Sandusky Bay, Sunday, August 4, 
and made a portage across the peninsula from the ruins of old 
Fort "Sandoske on Lac Sandoske." fifty-seven arpents or about 
two miles across to the "great lake," (Erie), to the present site 
of Port Clinton. 



Political, Philosophical and Mechanical Essays, the first containing an 
Analysis of a general Map of the Middle British Colonies in America" 
says : "Sandusky is a considerable river abounding in level land, its 
stream gentle all the way to its mouth where it will receive considerable 
slope. This river is an important pass and the French have secured it 
.as such, the Northern Indians cross the lake here from island to island, 
land at Sandoski, and go by a quick path to the lower Shawanese towns, 
:and thence to the gap of Onarioto in the way to the Ottawa country. 
This will no doubt be the way that the French will take from Detroit 
to Moville, unless the English will be advised to secure it, now that it 
iis in their power." 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 



371 



Colonel Crawford Lindsey of Quebec has prepared the following 
biographical sketch of DeLery. 

Abbe Daniel in his work entitled "Lc Vicomte C. de Lery et sa 
famille" devotes over 40 pages to Joseph Gaspard de Lery. The author 
who had access to the family papers has succeeded in producing a fairly 
complete work in that comparatively short biography. From it wc take- 
the following notes : 

The de Lery family originally came from Toulon. Gaspard Chaus- 
segros de Lerj-, the grandfather of the one who forms the subject of 
this sketch, was the engineer of that city. His son Gaspard was also 
an engineer, and in 1716 the Council of the Marine sent him to Canada 
to direct the works on the Quebec fortifications. After a long and 
fine career, he died in 1756. 

On the 3d of October, 1717, he married Marie Rence le Gardeur 
de Beauvais, by whom he had several children, 
among whom was Joseph Gaspard, baptised in Que- 
bec on the 21st July, 1721. 

Joseph Gaspard entered the Minor Seminary of 
Quebec on the 29th June, 1731, and like all other 
pupils of that institution under the French regime, he 
followed the classes of the Jesuits' College. 

Three years afterward, in 1734, an application 
was made for his appointment to the position of 
assistant-engineer in Quebec, but the answer to this 
was that it would riot be proper to appoint a child 
of eleven or twelve to that position. 

Such an application would lead one to suppose 
that young Joseph Gaspard displayed great aptitude 
for engineering and had been taught by his father 
who had himself written an excellent work on fortification. 

In any case the position of assistant engineer, which had been re- 
fused him in 1735, was given him on the 21st April, 1739, when he 
was only 18 years old. 

In the following year we find young de Lery in Louisiana. Charged 
by Broutin, the chief engineer, with the duty of reconnoitering the 
route leading to the Chicachos, he accomplished his mission to the sat- 
isfaction of his chiefs. 

In 1741 he was promised a commission of second ensign and he 
received it the following year. 

In 1743 he took a detachment to St. Frederick, put the fort in a 
state of defense and finished the prison. He was afterward engaged 
in repairing or constructing several forks in the Montreal district and 
was finally sent to that city whose fortifications were not in a proper 
condition. This was in 1744. 

The following years were devoted to repairing forts Chambly and! 
St. Frederick. 




DB LERY COAT 
OF ARMS. 



372 Ohio Arch and Hist. Society Puhlications. 

M. de Lery was not only an engineer, he was also o soldier. The 
authorities gave him frequent opportunities of proving his valor His 
expedition against the Loups and the Aquires in 1747 was tha first of 
the kind; it was not to be the last. 

de Lery who was only a second ensign was promoted first ensign 
or ensign on the establishment in 1748. 

About the same time, M. De Galissonniere, wishing to obtain in- 
formation regarding the route from Montreal to Detroit as well as the 
necessity of building new forts or repairing the old ones, ordered M. 
de Lery to perform the journey and to make a full report. To that 
order we are indebted for the first of M. de Lery's journals, and it will 
be seen that he performed the duty conscientiously. 

Leaving Lachine on the 6th of June, 1749, he returned to Quebec 
on the 25th September following. M. de la Galissonniere was no longer 
there to congratulate him, but M. de la Jonquiere showed his satisfac- 
tion by appointing him commandant of the artillerj^ a position he iT^ld 
till May, 1750. 

The governor did better still On October 8th he submitted his 
name to the King for a lieutenancy which was granted him in April, 
1751. M. de Lery was then in Acadia as commandant of Fort Beause- 
jour, which he built as well as that of Gaspareau. The reasons neces- 
sitating the construction of those forts are known to everybody. 

Nevertheless the English were displeased and accused the French 
of having invaded a portion of Nova Scotia, burned Beaubassin, fur- 
nished arms to the inhabitants, etc., and would be satisfied with nothing 
less than compelling M. de la Jonquiere to disavow his conduct. There- 
upon the Governor deemed it his duty to send some one to France to 
■give information to the court and he chose for the purpose M. de Lery 
•who had just arrived from Acadia. The latter had no difficulty in justi- 
fying M. de la Jonquiere. 

After spending some time at La Rochelle to acquire further knowl- 
•edge of military manoeuvres, M. de Lery sailed for Quebec, where he 
.arrived on the 23d October, 1752. 

On the 24th September, 1754, he was married in Quebec to Louise 
Martel de Brouague. 

The years 1754 and 1755 were especially busy ones for M. de Lery. 
'Ordered to Niagara, he spent the winter there and went to Fort Du- 
iQuesne, where he had same repairs executed. He was about to begin 
\work on Fort Mochault when he was recalled to Fort Niagara by M. 
de Villiers who was in command there. 

The narrative of that campaign or rather of those campaigns, con- 
stitutes the second and probably the most important of M. de Lery's 
journals. In it will be found interesting details which exist nowhere else. 

From that date, M. de Lery's journals enable us to follow him more 
easily and we refer the reader to them, merely calling attention to the 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. 373 

expedition of 1756 against Fort Bull, that against Choucgucn in the same 
year and the work on the Quebec fortifications in 1757. 

Promoted Captain on the 1st of May, 1757, M. de Lcry had not yet 
been honored with the Cross of St. Louis ; it was granted him on the 
20th January, 1759. 

Finally on the 13th September of the same year, he took part in 
the battle of the Plains of Abraham and was wounded. 

After the capitulation of Montreal, M. de Lery obtained permission 
from M. de Vaudreuil, to remain in Canada. In the following year he 
went to France with his family. He visited Paris and proceeded to 
London where he was presented to the King. It was on that occasion 
that George III, addressing himself to M. de Lery's young wife, said 
to her : '"Madame if all the Canadian ladies are like you, I have truly 
made a conquest." 

M. de Lery returned to Canada in 1764. In the following year the 
Due de Choiseul authorized him to live there. He thought, however, 
of returning to France, but the Court, which had not looked with a fa- 
vorable eye on his stay in England, ignored his application. 

In 1774, England granted Canada The Quebec Act ; a legislative 
Council was formed and M. de Lery was one of its first members. With 
his colleagues, he took the oath on the 17th August, 1775. Seven years 
afterward, September 7, 1782, the French Court confirmed the pension 
that had been granted him in 1762. 

M. de Lery lived many years longer. He died in Quebec, Dec. 11, 
1797, at the age of 76, and was buried three days afterward in the Ca- 
thedral. 

Madame de Lery had died in 1793. Of their marriage 18 children 
were born ; 10 sons and 8 daughters. The most celebrated of all was 
Francois Joseph, who afterward became Lieutenant-General, Chief En- 
gineer and Baron of the French Empire. 

This notice does not do justice to M. de Lery's qualities. 
By reading his journals one will know him better and appreciate 
the zeal, activity and intelligence of that brave officer whom the 
French governors honored with their confidence while giving 
him unsparing proofs of their satisfaction. 

Throughout his whole military career, de Lery kept careful 
journals. These have been translated from the original French 
by Col. Crawford Lindsey, the official translator of the province 
of Quebec, who had translated the ''Jesuit Relations" into Eng- 
lish for the publishers, the Burrows Bros., of Cleveland. 

There are 8 of these journals of ]\L de Lery's campaigns 
whereof the following is a summary description : 



374 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

1. Journal of 1749. A memorandum book without a cover, contain- 
ing 42 pages, 2 of which are blank. This is the narrative of a voyage to 
Detroit undertaken by the order of M. de la Galissonniere. 

2. Journal of 1754-1755. It consists of 8 small memorandum books 
whose sheets arc held together by ribbons of different colors. There 
are 288 pages in all, including 14 blank ones. 

This journal is probably the most important of all those left by 
M. de Lery, owing to the numerous and interesting items of informa- 
tion it gives respecting the old French forts and the routes leading to 
them. It also contains a large number of figures, plans, etc. 

3. Journal of 1756. Same size as the preceding one ; 29 pages of 
text. 

Although the title of this journal would lead one to infer that it 
relates to expeditions at Ft. Bull, Choueguen and Carillon, this memor- 



^^^^V 


■ 




■ 
■ 




. 1- ' 


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y,> -■-> -V - .V 


g 








^^^Hi^H 



DE LERY JOURNALS. 

andum book contains in reality only the narrative of the voyage to 
Carillon. The remainder is contained in two separate books. 

4. Journal of the Campaign of 1756 — April. Capture of Ft. Bull. 
A memorandum book with paste cover, containing 60 pages, three of 
which are blank. It contains two maps and a plat of Fort Bull. 

5. Choueguen Campaign, 1756. Form and cover similar to the 
preceding one ; this book contains 28 pages. In it the author gives a 
plan of Choueguen and vicinity. 

6. Journal of 1757. A book of 32 pages. It gives interesting de- 
tails respecting the Quebec fortifications at which M. de Lery worked 
all summer. 

7. Journal of 1758. Consists of 27 pages, 10 of which are blank. 
It is the narrative of an expedition in July and August to the Iroquois 
country. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 375 

8. Journal of 1758. Voyage in September and October from Que- 
bec to Carillon. A book of 12 pages. 

The journals i', 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, are evidently a first draft, roughly 
written ; this can be seen by the writing and spelling. The writing 
without being bad is not always easy to make out. With regard 
to the spelling it may perhaps be considered by some as (|ucer. 
But the reader must remember that M. de Lery wrote current e 
calanto, probably even during the course of his journeys, and that, 
apart from numbers 4 and 5, all the other manuscripts are inerely 
a rough draft. 

It is only fair to add this defect was not peculiar to him. 
Many men of his day, who had been educated to some extent 
were as deficient in their spelling. The proof that M. de Lery 
could do better will be found in the journals of 1756, numbers 
4 and 5, which are very well written with correct spelling. The 
latter two manuscripts, with their well executed maps and plans, 
may be classed among the finest of the period. 

M. de Lery's journals now belong to Laval University, 
Quebec. They were bequeathed to it by the late Abbe Verreau, 
who had obtained them from the estate of the late Jacques Viger, 
well known throughout Canada for his historical researches and 
labors. We cannot tell how they came into his possession. 

The reader will judge for himself of the history of the 
country in general and of certain sections of the United States in 
particular. This induced Laval University to allow their pub- 
lication by the Burrows Bros. Co., Cleveland, Ohio, who will 
follow the general style and arrangement of their great work, 
"The Jesuit Relations." Patriotic societies and all students of 
history are greatly indebted to Chas. W. Burrows, president of 
the Burrows Bros, company, for his historical researches and 
publications. 

The daily entries in de Lery's journal from the time of leav- 
ing Presqu'isle (Erie), July 30, 1754, until the arrival at the 
ruins of the old Fort Sandusky, August 4, give with great detail 
the courses, distances and the character of the country on the shore 
of the lake. There are no less than nineteen quite elaborate little 
sketches of the entrances to the rivers, etc., including five detailed 



376 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Piihlications. 

sketches of the ruins of the old fort ( Sandoski) and of San- 
dusky bay. We give this part of the journal: 
Extract from Journal of Joseph Gaspard Chaussegros de Lery, 
Lieut, des Trouppes En route from Quebec to Fort Duquesne 
but Destination changed at Presque isle (Erie) to Fort Detroit in 

1754- 

(Presque Isle (Erie) 30 July, 1754) 

30th, Tuesday. Started from the presqu isle at half past 
4 in the morning. Monsieur Pean, captain, regimental adjutant 

of Quebec, commanding 1 

Monsieur St Martin, acting major 

Monsieur Lery Lieutenants 3 

Monsieur St Ours 

Monsieur Rigauville 

Monsieur Desmeloises 

[127] Ensigns 4 

Monsieur Porneuf 

Monsieur Cournoyer 

Father Bonnecamp j esuit 1 

Monsieur forget duverger, Priest of the missions Etrangeres. . . 1 

Monsieur Mauviles 

Monsieur Vigee Surgeons 3 

Monsieur Garon 

Monsieur Laforce, store-keeper 1 

Monsieur Constant, an old interpreter among the outaouais, 

Sauteux, etc 1 

27 Canoes, each carrying 10 men 270 

28.5 men 

Each canoe was loaded with 25 Packages consisting chiefly of pro- 
visions. ****** 

(128 to 138 omitted). 

4th Sunday. (Aug. 4, 1754). We started at 5 h. 22 m. N. W. 
At S of a league, Monsieur de Rigauville landed with Father Bonne- 
camp, Jesuit, and another canoe. There he took the altitude which was 
41 Degrees, 24 Minutes, 64 Seconds. The wind was stormy and a cloud 
covered the whole sky to the North East. From the point where the 
altitude was taken to the Point seen in the East, the bearing is E.N.W. ; 
from the same Point to the Point in the West, the bearing is S.E. by 
S. and N.W. by N. From the Riviere aux hurons, or Riviere au 
Pere, or Riviere au Vermilion, the shore runs S.E. and N.W. for a 
distance of About 134 Legue in which space is the Entrance to lake 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1^45. 377 

otsandoske. At 10 o'clock I found myself opposite two entrances of a 
Bay. As my canoe was the nearest to land as well as the most in 
advance and as I had no guide, I thought this was the entrance of 
lake otsandoske. The wind was astern and as I steered for the entrance 
the Rollers were very heavy while I was in the pass on the left as one 
enters (for the entrance of the lake is divided by a small island) my 
canoe shipped [139] a great deal of Water. I discovered a great sheet 
of Water which I took for lake otsandoske. I displayed my flag as a 
signal to all the canoes which steered for me with the wind astern. 
Many shipped a good Deal of Water and suffered exceedingly from the 
heavy wind. I saw them all enter the lake and land at the other end 
of the island to empty the water out of the canoes. Monsieur Pean 
had to change his clothes which were wet through. I did not know 
where the portage was. I imagined that some vestiges still remained 
of the fort the French had built in 1751 and which was afterwards 
evacuated. To find it I followed the shore on the north side of the 
said lake which runs East and West. After proceeding about 3 Leagues, 
I found a clearing where I landed at noon and discovered the Ruins of 
the Old fort. I at once had the packages in my canoe carried across 
the portage. At two o'clock the whole [140] had been taken over. 
Monsieur Pean arrived at 3 o'clock. The Remainder of the day was 
spent in portaging the effects and the canoes ; three of the latter, how- 
ever, remained at the Little lake. The portage is 57 arpents in length ; 
starting from the Little lake, it runs N. by N.W. There are three small 
prairies to be crossed which are at about equal distance from one another ; 
after that is a small grove of trees and then the bank of the River of 
the Portage on the shore of the great lake where our camp was. 

I calculate that, from the River we call Riviere aux Hurons 
to the Entrance of lake otsandoske, the distance is two Leagues ; for 
the space of one league the shore is bordered merely by a strip of woods, 
after which is a great prairie which ends at lake otsandoske. 

To enable one to understand the Route of this day and that of 
Father Bonnecamp, Jesuit, in passing out of the little lake to [141] Pointe 
aux cedres, I will indicate in the figure below the route he took outside 
and that which I followed inside. ****** 

6th, Tuesday. At 1 h. 40 m. in the afternoon the greater portion 
of the detachment ordered to go to Michilimaquinak arrived at detroit. 
Monsieur Pean was in the van, and De Lery formed the rear-guard, 
Monsieur de St martin, the major, was in the position suited to his 
rank ; Messieurs de St Ours, Neuvillette, Desmeloises and de Cournoyer 
commanded the divisions. The said detachment saluted the flag of the 
fort with three discharges of musketry. We landed at the gardens, that 
is to say above the fort which fired nine Rockets, while the troops were 
under arms and the drums beat the general. Monsieur dumuy, the 



'378 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

commandant of the said fort, received Monsieur Pean, our commandant, 
thirty feet from the gate of the fort where the troops and miHtia were 
drawn up and they were dismissed only after Monsieur Pean had 
entered the fort, whence he sent orders to his canoe to proceed below 
it; there he pitched his camp adjoining the Enceinte of the fort 
on the Side facing the village of the Pouteouatamis. The officers en- 
camped in the front line along the hill facing the Water and the troops 
and militia-men placed their tents behind in four lines. The hurons 
went to salute the commandant of the detachment. The weather was 
Fine and the sun very hot ; no wind. 

7th, Wednesday. The Pouteouatamis saluted the Commandant of 
the detachment and all the officers, myself in particular because I was 
to remain at Detroit. 

Monsieur le mercier arrived at 9 o'clock in the evening and 
announced the approaching departure of Monsieur Pean's detachment. 

Extract from Journal of Joseph Gaspard Chaussegros de Lery Lt. 
des Trouppes, return journey from Ft. Detroit to Ft. Du Quesne via 
Ft. Sandoske on Lac Dot Sandoske in March, 1755. 

March 15th, Saturday. As the wind blew from the water and it was 
impossible to Embark, I decided to leave behind the two Frenchmen 
who had brought me in the pirogue so that it might take it back to the 
fort, and to 'travel by land with the two iroquois. We started at 8 o'clock 
and at 4 we camped half a league beyond the Pointe aux feviers. We 
broke through in several places. The weather was cold. We passed 
two Rivers; 'one in the middle of the Bay and the other almost at the 
Pointe aux feviers. The savages were so loaded with our equipment 
that they were obliged to make traines with our apichimons or bear skins. 
I calculate 'that we traveled five and a half Leagues that day. 

16th Sunday. The weather was Fine but cold but yet not sufficiently 
so [264] to allow of our crossing the Streams and Rivers on the ice 
without breaking through. We i 

crossed the Riviere a toussain in f 

the water ; it is wide and shallow _ ?e*' 

and situate a league and a quarter 

from the Pointe aux feviers. J^ ^' TV » * i) 

Here is a figure of that River: ' ^ 

We walked over difficult ground full of hot springs and when we 
had to leave it and go on the shore ice, we ran the risk of breaking 
our legs, as the ice was not sound and frequently there was No Water 
underneath. We saw great numbers of swans, bustards, ducks, cranes 
and other game but they were so wild we could not approach them. 

Two of us arrived at the Riviere du Portage. At 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon, Thomas, the iroquois from the lake of two mountains who 
was with me, went along the outer edge of the shore ice to go and 




Old Fort Saiidoski of 1/43. 379' 

get a pirogue on the other side of the River and it was o o'clock 
when I got across. I left him to await the other savage who had re- 
mained behind and I went on to lake Sandoske to see whether we could 
cross it either in a canoe or on the ice. I arrived there at half past 
six o'clock after walking continually in the Water of which that portage 
is full at that season. I found the lake clear of ice and fired three 
gun-shots, the signal I had arranged with The iroquois who rejoined 
me at half past seven o'clock. He had not seen his comrade who did 
not come to sleep with us. We tired several gun-shots to make our- 
selves heard by the French traders on the South East shore of lake 
dot Sandoske, but they did not answer. We had nothing for supper 
but a teal as The savage who had remained behind carried the pro- 
visions. 

[266] I examined the River of the portage and found its figure 
different at this season from what it was in the month of August last 
year when I passed there; the grass was then high and the Water lower. 

[268] 17th, Monday. Very early in the morning The iroquois from 
the lake Started to go and meet the one from the Belle Riviere who 
had not joined us The previous evening. I placed a flag on the Water's 
edge and fired several gun-shots to make the traders on the opposite 
shore see and hear me, but they did not hear any more than on the 
previous day. At noon the two savages arrived. We placed in the 
water a large canoe of eight paddles that we found and crossed 3/4 of a 
league above the Riviere du Poisson doree. [Pickerel Creek.] 

I reached the house of Sieur gouin, a trader, at 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon. We were a long time crossing because our canoe leaked a 
good deal and I was kept busy bailing while the two savages paddled. 

[269] 18th, Tuesday. The wind was from the south and cold; 
the Sun came out. The savages prepared and made a saddle for the 
horse that was to carry our provisions. I sent one of them with The 
huron interpreter to the Little village to get me a guide and I par- 
ticularly charged the latter with that mission ; also to buy a horse for me. 
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon The interpreter and the savage Returned 
without either guide or horse. Our two savages decided to take the 
route via the presqu isle by canoe. This, added to what the hurons 
told me about the Rivers having overflowed their banks and the woods 
b»ing full of Water, led me to decide to go in a Canoe. 

[270] I had one of six paddles prepared with all its fittings to be 
ready to start very early the following morning. I wrote to Monsieur 
the Commandant of detroit and sent him the Statement of the few 
supplies advanced me by Sieur gouin for those who owned the canoe 
which I might Perhaps Leave at the Riviere a seguin called gayahague. 

19th. Wednesday. I was unable to start before noon because the 
canoe had to be gummed as it leaked a great deal. I went to sleep at 



380 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



the head of lake Sandoske in a place sheltered from the wind. The 
weather was Fine. We went to the Point on the lake to see whether 
there was Much ice. We found shore ice and, as the weather was 
setting in fine, this led us to Hope that we should reach whither we 
proposed going with fair ease. 







F 



s:: 



3^: 



1 1 S ' 



^ 



'^■: 




[271] I calculate that we traveled i-\ Leagues. Figure of the 
entrance of lake dot Sandoske and view of the lands to the West with 
the Plan of the swamp as far as the portage of the village of ainoton. 

[272] 20th, Thursday, Heavy gale from the north east. We re- 
mained, being unable to put our canoe in the Water. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. 



381 



21st, Friday. At 7 o'clock in the morning we embarked to go to 
the head of the swamp of lake dot Sandoske to the East. We went 
about a league and a half and portaged over to the great Lake which 
we found full of ice. This compelled us to retrace our steps and go 
to the Portage of the village of aniauton, which we did. At 5 o'clock 
we reached the said village whereof only three cabins and some palisades 
remain. We decided to take the conchake Route although it was long. 



V ^C ^A^ 




\^ 






\ 




i6t //' \ 



SUjt 



We asked a huron to guide us. I offered him the value of a beaver 
skin to [273] take us to the Riviere a Seguin, but he refused, saying 
that his nation would think he was going on the war-path. .This, in 
addition to the trouble the men of that nation had caused with the 
same object some days previously, led me to think that he would per- 
haps not submit withoit compulsion to all ihat might be favorable to 
us on The oyo. 

The Place where we were is that where the hurons took refuge 



382 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



,% 



r 




after Leaving isle aux bois blanc and killed the Frenchmen. They had 

erected a fort there whereof the following is the figure. 

[274] 22d, Saturday. Very early in the morning one of my sav- 
ages started to go to the house of Sieur gouin, the Trader, at the 

lake, to get his horse. We got 

our packages ready to start in the 

the afternoon if he returned in 

time. I wrote Sieur gouin to 

Send two Frenchmen to get his 

canoe with its fittings left on the 

lake shore on the Portage of the 

village. 
There was no more snow on the 

ground and this caused the woods 

to be full of Water. We had found a good deal on the previous day 

on our way to the village. At 5 o'clock the savage who had gone to 

get the horse, returned. The Frenchmen were to come the following 

day to take away their Canoe. 

I wrote to Monsieur du muy and to Madame de Lery and dated 

the letters the 23rd March. The weather was fine with a little rain in 

the morning. 

[275] An anniez who had passed the 
winter at a three days' march from this 
village, arrived. He was going to trade 
at Sandoske. He told me he had a horse 
for sale. I accepted the offer. He prom- 
ised to join me in two days on his return 
from the trade and deliver me the horse. 
23rd, Sunday. At half past 8 o'clock in 

the morning we started on the Conchake road for Fort Duquesne. * * * 



'43 /^ 



/*r 



V 



The importance of the "De Lery" portage and the loca- 
tion of old fort Sandusky at the entrance to the Sandusky coun- 
try is shown not only by the desire of the renegade Nicolas to 
occupy and hold this point of strategic importance almost midway 
between the French outpost at Detroit and the English outposts 
or settlements in Pennsylvania and Virginia on the headwaters 
of the Ohio. Fort Sandusky, the first fort in Ohio, originally 
built by the British in 1745 and destroyed by the French when 
they made Nicolas sue for peace in 1748, is located in the early 
map of Evans as "usurped by the French in 175 1." The French 
built their post at Junundat at the point described by de Lery 



Old Fort Sandoski of i/4j. 



383 



as the location of the trading post of Sieur Gouin, and marked 
in the early, maps Ft. Junundat, 1754. This in turn was de- 
stroyed by the British after the capture of Ft. du Quesne by 
the British in 1758, so that immediately after the surrender of 
all French territory in America, Sept. 8, 1760, when Major 
Robert Rogers was sent out to take possession of the western 
forts the importance of a new fort at Sandusky was realized and 
frequent references made in contemporary reports and letters. 



Captain Campbell, of 
Detroit, wrote to Bou- 
quet, Dec. 11, 1760: "A 
small post at Sandusky 
would be useful for the 
c o m m u n i cation witb 
Pittsburg." The follow- 
ing August, 17G1, Cap- 
tain Cochrane writes 
from Presque'isle that 
he is to build a fort at 
Sandusky, the order be- 
ing from Amherst. Sept. 
1, 1701, Lieut. Elias 
Meyer writes in French 
to Bouquet that he has 
been surveying, and had 
fixed on a good spot for 
a blockhouse, three miles 
from a village called by 
the Indians Canoutout, 
where all the traders 
unload and load their 
goods for Detroit ; it is 
almost in the middle of 
The blockhouse and palisades were finished 




MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS. 

1727-1784. 



Little Lake Sandusky. 
Nov. 29, 1761. 



On the 8th of September, 1760, following Wolfe's Victory on 
the Plains of Abraham, Quebec, Canada with all its dependencies, 
was surrendered to the British crown. It still remained to carry 
into effect the full terms of the conquest by taking over the 
western forts, and this difficult and perilous task was assigned to 



384 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

Major Robert Rogers * of New Hampshire, an old commander 
of Putnam and Stark. 

On Sept. 12, 1760, Rogers, at the height of his reputation 
received orders from General Amherst, the British commander- 
in-chief in America, to ascend the St. Lawrence and take posses- 
sion of the western forts ; and he left Montreal the next day, 
with 200 Rangers, "half hunters, half woodsmen, armed like 
Indians with hatchet, gun and knife ;" artillery commanded by 
Lieut. Davis ; and Lieut. Brehm, assistant engineer, who delivered 
dispatches and summons to surrender to Captain Beletre, the com- 
mandant at Detroit. Beletre at first refused to believe that Can- 
ada had capitulated, but on receipt of the letter from Vaudreuil, 
the governor of Canada, he was forced to yield and accom- 
panied Rogers on his eastward trip to Philadelphiaf 

Rogers' return was by land, via the Sandusky and Tuscara- 
was trail to Ft. Pitt. Jan. 2, 1761, says his Journal: "We ar- 
rived at Lake Sandusky." The following month, namely Feb. 
3, 1761, Bouquet wrote to Amherst: "Lieutenant Meyer has left 
Ensign Pauli and fifteen men at Sandusky." This is the first 
mention of H. C. Pauli, who was in command of the garrison of 
Ft. Sandusky. Several letters and reports from him are among 
the Bouquet collection, now in the Canadian Archives, and he 
uniformly used this spelling of his name, although Parkman and 
some other historians write it Paully. Feb. 19, 1762, Pauli wrote 
to Bouquet that the Indians were discontented about the block- 
house ; and inquired how he should behave if they became insolent. 

*Rogers is described as "tall and strong of person and rough of 
feature ; versed in all the arts of woodcraft, sagacious, prompt and reso- 
lute; his mind by no means uncultivated. But his vain, restless and 
grasping spirit and more th'an doubtful honesty proved the ruin of an en- 
viable reputation. Six years after his western expedition he was tried 
by court martial for a meditated act of treason, the surrender of Ft. 
Michillimackinac to the Spaniards at that time masters of Upper Louis- 
iana. Not long after he went to Africa and fought two battles under 
the Dey of Algiers. Returning to take part in the American Revolution 
he was suspected by Washington of playing the part of a spy; openly 
espoused the British cause; and in 1778 was banished from New Hamp- 
shire. The time and place of his death is unknown. — Condensed from 
Parkman's "Conspiracy of Pontiac.'^ 

t Mante's History of the Late War, 111?.. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/4^. 385 

In May he reported that the chiefs had given leave to PhiUp 
Boyle to plant corn ; that the Iroquois were very quiet and the 
department healthy. The batteaux left for the winter thirty 
miles off were found, when sent for, to be nearly ruined by the 
Indians probably for the nails ; and the men on their return lost in 
the storm the only canoe he had. In July he reported his men 
had fever from the bad water and asked for medicine. Provisions 
were scarce. In August, provisions had been delivered by Captain 
Robertson, commanding a vessel on Lake Erie, which could not 
get into Lake Sandusky from shallowness of the water. Men 
•of his old party were ill. 

Rogers and his Rangers had been met somewhere near the 
mouth of Grand River, east of Cleveland, by Pontiac, who 
haughtily demanded their business. Later he gave them his lofty 
permission "to pass through the country unmolested." The great 
Ottawa leader here stands prominently forward in history for the 
first time. He believed that if all the tribes could be made to 
unite in a grand assault upon the English, there might be a chance 
of overthrowing them ; and he had succeeded in arousing to 
bloodshed most of the tribes between the Alleghenies and the 
Mississippi. A detail of his plan of procedure was to attack all 
the English forts upon the same day ; and having destroyed the 
garrisons to devastate the defenseless frontier and concentrate 
upon the more populous centers. Early in May, 1763, the storm 
burst. "Nine British forts yielded instantly, Detroit and Ft. Pitt 
alone escaping capture ; and the savages drank, scooped up in 
hollow of joined hands the blood of many a Briton ; — Sandusky 
was the first to fall." On the i6th of May, Pauli, the command- 
ing officer, was informed that some Indians were waiting at the 
gate to speak to him. As several of the number were well known 
to him he ordered them without hesitation to be admitted. Arriv- 
ing at his headquarters, two of the treacherous visitors seated 
themselves on either side of the commandant, while the rest were 
disposed in various parts of the room. The pipes were lighted 
and the conversation begun, when an Indian who stood in the 
doorway suddenly made a signal by raising his head. Upcm 
this the astonished officer was instantly pounced upon and dis- 
armed ; while at the same moment a confused noise of shrieks 

Vol. XVII — 25. 



386 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

and yells, the firing of guns and the hurried tramp of feet sounded 
from the area of the fort without. It soon ceased, however, and 
Pauli, led by his captors from the room saw the parade ground 
strewn with the corpses of his murdered garrison. At nightfall 
he was conducted to the margin of the lake, where several birch 
canoes lay in readiness, and as amid the thick darkness the party 
pushed out from shore the captive saw the fort lately under his 
command bursting into sheets of flame.* 

Pauli was carried to Detroit, bound hand and foot and 
solaced on the way with the expectation of being burned alive. 
However on landing at the camp of Pontiac he was surrounded 
by a crowd of Indians who pelted him with stones, sticks and 
gravel forcing him to sing and dance. An old woman whose 
husband had lately died chose to adopt him in place of the de- 
ceased warrior. He was plunged into the river that the white 
blood might be washed from his veins ; conducted to the lodge 
of the widow and treated henceforth with all the consideration 
due to an Ottawa warrior. This forced match took place about 
the 20th of i^Iay, and in July following a divorce occurred. One 
evening a man was seen running toward the fort at Detroit, 
closely pursued by Indians. On his arriving within gunshot they 
gave over the chase and the fugitive came panting beneath the 
walls, where a wicket was flung open to receive him. He proved 
to be the commandant at Fort Sandusky who had seized the first 
opportunity to escape from the embraces of the Ottawa widow. f 

Meanwhile Pontiac himself was besieging Detroit, which 
garrison heard through one La Brosse, a Canadian who came to 
the gate, that Ft, Sandusky had been taken and all its garrison 
slain or captured. Pauli had sent through one of the Canadian 
inhabitants a report to Major Gladwin, commandant at Detroit, 
giving a full account of the capture ; and on July 6, proceedings 
of a court of inquiry were held by Major Gladwin to ascertain 
the manner of the taking of Fort Sandusky. 

*"Conspiracy of Pontiac;" and MS official Document Report of the 
Loss of the Posts in the Indian country, inclosed in a letter from Major 
Gladwin to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, July 8, 1763. 

t Taylor's Ohio. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1743. 



387 



Lieutenant Cuyler with ninety-six men and twenty-three 
batteaux laden with stores was on the way to the reHef of De- 
troit, along- the northern shore of Lake Erie, when a band of 
Wyandots was sent to intercept him, which they did. May 28, 
at Point Pelee. Cuyler's boats had been beached and the party 
prepared to encamp. They were surprised by the Indians and a 
hot blaze of musketry took place from both sides. Then the 
Indians charged and the soldiers fled panic-stricken to their boats. 
Five were set afloat and pushed off. Cuyler seeing himself de- 
serted waded up to his neck in the water and climbed into a boat. 

One other beside him escaped, 
and rowiug all night the party of 
thirty men reached Fort Sandusky, 
which of course they found burned, 
and proceeded thence to Niagara. 

The tragedy at Fort Sandusky 
did not long remain unavenged. On 
the 26th of July, a detachment of 260 
men under command of Captain Dal- 
yell arrived at the ruins of the old 
fort, on their coastwise route along 
the southern shore of Lake Erie to the 
relief of Detroit. Furious at the de- 
vastation presented by the ruins of the 
burned fort and the decomposing bodies of the garrison, Dalyell 
decided to tarry a few days and inflict punishment of the per- 
petrators of the deed. He marched inland to the Wyandot village 
at the lower falls of the Sandusky (now Fremont), which he 
burned to the ground, at the same time destroying the adjacent 
fields of standing corn. This inadequate retribution voiced the 
soldiers' hatred of savage treachery — the turning of the hither- 
to friendly Wyandot against Pauli's little English force, just as 
sixteen years earlier Nicolas and his Hurons had, near the same 
place, turned against their whilom friends and associates, the 
French. 

Dalyell then continued his journey northward and under 
cover of night effected a junction with the Detroit garrison. 
Dalyell had been the companion of Israel Putnam in some of the 




HEXRY GLADWIN. 



388 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



most adventvirous passages of that veteran's life, but more re- 
cently had acted as aide-de-camp to Sir Jeffrey Amherst. On the 
very day of his arrival he persuaded Gladwin to let him make a 
night attack on Pontiac's forces, which resulted in his own death 
and the loss of fifty-nine of his men at Bloody Run. Major 
Robert Rogers, trained in frontier warfare, who succeeded to the 
command, with his Rangers put the ambushed savages to flight ; 
while two batteaux from the fort came to his own relief and an 
orderly retreat was made. This Indian victory restored the wan- 
ing fortune of Pontiac and brought daily accessions to his forces. 
In the spring of 1764 the frontiers were still alarmed by 
savage incursions, and General Gage 
who had succeeded General Amherst 
in command of the British forces in 
America resolved to send two expedi- 
tions into the heart of the enemy's 
country, to punish the Indians and re- 
gain possession of the forts. Col. 
Henry Bouquet, a Swiss officer who 
had served for seven years in the 
British army in America, was in com- 
mand of the expedition marching into 
the Ohio country from Ft. Pitt, while 
the northern army commanded by 
Col. Bradstreet, was to proceed to 
Detroit via the lakes. Bradstreet set 
out from Albany with the following force: 243 men of the 17th 
Regiment ; 98 of the 55th ; 344 New York Battalion ; 209 New 
Jersey Battalion; 73 boatmen; total 1183. The Connecticut bat- 
talion was under Israel Putnam, the future hero of Bunker Hill. 
The chief engineer of the exposition was Lieut. John Montresor,. 
to whom we shall refer later. From Lake Ontario the army pro- 
ceeded westward in two vessels, 75 whaleboats and numberless 
canoes, stopping to found a fort at Erie and resting near the 
ruins of old Fort Sandusky. 

Bradstreet had been ordered by Gage to chastise the Indians 
whenever they appeared in arms, but all hostile indications ceased 
at his advance. On the 12th of August, near Presque isle (Erie} 




COLONEL HENRY BOUQUET. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. 



389 



a delegation of Indians met him purporting to represent several 
tribes, promising that all prisoners should be delivered at Lower 
Sandusky within twenty-five days, that all claims to the posts of 
the English in the west were to be abandoned, and leave given to 
erect as many forts and trading posts as should be necessary for 
the security of the traders, with a grant of as much land around 
each post as a cannon could throw a shot over ; that if any Indian 
killed an Englishman he should be delivered at Fort Pitt for 
trial ; and that if one tribe 
violated the peace the others 
would unite in punishing 
them.* 

The terms seemed hon- 
orable, but there is reason 
to believe that the tribes 
had not authorized this del- 
egation to speak for them. 
Parkman insists that they 
were only spies and that 
Bradstreet was duped. Tay- 
lor believes Parkman's 
strictures on Bradstreet 
too severe ; but it is not 
necessary to enter into that 
discussion here. That the 
Indians were sending one 
delegation to him with 
peace propositions at the 
same time they were sending others to stir up the tribes to war is 
shown frona the journal of Capt. Thomas Morris, an English of- 
ficer of the 17th Regiment, who was sent to visit the Indians 
along the Maumee, Wabash and Indian Rivers, while Bradstreet 
was at Detroit and Sandusky. His journal is in the State Paper 
Office in London. f For details of his thrilling trip — how he 
met an Indian riding a superb white horse which Braddock had 
ridden in his fatal expedition ; and how an Indian chief traded 

*Taylor's Ohio. 

tReprinted by Arthur Clark Co., Cleveland, lf)04. 




ISRAEL PUTNAM. 
1718-1790. 



390 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Pnhlications. 



Morris a copy of Shakespeare for some gunpowder — see Park- 
man's Pontiac, vol. II. Morris wrote to Bradstreet, Sept. i8, 
1764: "The villains have nipped our fairest hopes (of peace) in 
the bud. I tremble for you at Sandusky ; though I was greatly 
pleased to find that you have one of the vessels with you and ar- 
tillery. I wish the chiefs were assembled on board the vessel 
and that she had a hole in her bottom." 

Camping near the ruins of old Fort Sandusky, Bradstreet 
spared the AA'yandot villages, the Indians agreeing to make their 

submission at Detroit, which 
place was entered by his army 
Aug. 26th. After arranging 
matters there, Bradstreet left 
seven companies of the '7th 
Reg't., under Lieut.-Col. 
Campbell, and returned to 
Sandusky Lake, Sept. 18, 
1764. 

We have already referred 
to Lieut. John Montresor, the 
engineer of Bradstreet's army, 
whose journals first printed 
in the New York Historical 
collection for 1881 cast a new 
light upon many of the most 
important occurrences of 
Bradstreet's expedition and 
the old French and In- 
dian wars. Montresor was, 
like de Lery, the son of a famous engineer, the elder Montresor 
having been ordered to America in 1757, where he planned and 
built several fortifications about New York. His eldest son John 
served as assistant engineer under his father at Gibraltar, and 
was gazetted chief engineer under General Braddock in that 
officer's American campaign. He was wounded in that dis- 
astrous engagement, July 9, 1755 ; was at the capitulation of 
Quebec in 1760, and to his talent as an artist we are indebted for 
tn excellent likeness in profile of General Wolfe taken in camp 




JOHN MONTRESOR, Chief Engineer. 

Bhotographic Copy of an Artotype Re- 
production of a Portrait, Published in the 
Collections of New York Historical Society 
for the Year 1881. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1/45. 391 

near Quebec. In 1763 he assisted in the rehcf of Major 
Gladwin at Detroit when besie.q^ed by Pontiac's army, and in 
1764 was engineer of Bradstreet's expedition. Later he was 
principal engineer during the occu])ation of Boston and New 
York by the British troops, and in Dec, 1775, was made by 
George III. "chief engineer in America.' He was present as 
one of the managers of the celcl)rated ball "Mischianza" given 
in Philadelphia by the British of^cers to Sir William Howe on 
the eve of his departure for England. After the close of the 
American Revolution Montresor returned to England where he 
obtained the rank of Colonel, traveled extensively and died June 
26, 1799. His portrait by Copley shows what a fine specimen of 
manhood he was. His valuable journals contain many illuminat- 
ing references to the period and the locality with which we are 
concerned. I insert a considerable portion of this interesting 
journal : 

Sept. 7, 1764. Proposed by Col. Bradstreet that the army set out 
for Sandusky in three days. Up that river (at the Lower Falls — Fre- 
mont), was the rendezvous proposed where Col. B. should entrench till 
the arrival there of the troops under command of Col. Bouquet. 

Sept. 12. Received orders from Col. Bradstreet to make out a 
small proportion for building a fort at Sandusky if the Indians on our 
arrival there don't comply with the articles agreed to on Aug. 12. 

13th. Arrived advice from Sandusky that the Indians to the num- 
ber of 800 warriors had assembled there to oppose our troops from dis- 
embarkation instead of ratifying the treaty. 

14th. The whole embarked. Our present number of boats, 60 of 
the Long Boats and one Barge. Put on board a proportion of intrench- 
ing tools necessary for establishing a post at Sandusky if necessary. 

15th. This morning we were met in a birch canoe by officers sent 
to Sandusky who brought us account that they were not well treated 
by some of that village, that the reason of their being so tardy in their 
determination was owing to their having been promised by the Upper 
Nations to make some stroke, that by what could be learned they pro- 
pose assembling about 1,000 warriors to surprise us when in council 
at Sandusky and to murder the whole, but they hoped forgiveness for 
the ill advice of their sachems. — Two Indians seen on horseback. The 
savages in these parts possess, including the Shawanese, about 6,000 
horses. 

17th. Accounts arrived that the Delawares and Shawanese are as- 
sembled at Sandusky where the old Fort stood that the Indians burnt 



392 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Puhlications. 

last year, a bad place for the boats. The whole set sail and arrived at 
Thistle Creek about one mile and three-quarters to the eastward of it, 
but the water failing returned and encamped a half mile to the west- 
ward of the old Fort. A good clay beach. Found at the old Fort the 
officer of the 80th sent with provisions from Detroit. 

19th. The channel of Sandusky was sounded and found sufficient 
water for the vessels now on Lake Erie to enter. Arrived the sachem 
Manitou and the great war chief of the Ottawas with twelve more young 
warriors to attend the general council to be held there. Remark that 
the water rises and falls upward of two feet perpendicular, the difference 
between the winds blowing in and out of this lake. 

20th. As the nations expected to ratify the treaty propose taking 
the route of the upper village of the Hurons 60 miles from the first 
r&pids on the river of Sandusky, the whole embarked and proceeded and 
encamped one mile below the rapids in order to meet them one day 
sooner and also to be so much nearer to attack their villages on the 
Ohio should they not comply with every article alluded to in the treaty 
of peace. The country covered with Game. The land extremely rich, 
interspersed near the borders of the Rivers and lake with large tracts 
of meadow. This camp very advantageously situated on the rising 
ground and open woods as per draught. The most of this river from 
the entrance to the rapids being about 18 miles is 5 fathoms water the 
first six miles up meadow, the rest woods, are part with another 80 
yards Broad. The evening and morning gun ordered to be fired, with 
the camp duties as before. A considerable difference observed in the 
climate becoming more moderate. 

21. The quarter guards of the several battalions and detachments 
defended by Fleches and Redoubts with 6 light field 6 pounders in the 
intervals. The Indians from the neighboring village at the Rapids (Lower 
Sandusky), which for the most part is abandoned this spring, brought 
in the produce of their settlement chiefly consisting of melons, squashes 
and Indian corn to traffic with the troops for salt, rum, etc. Arrived 
an express from Miamis fort not being permitted to proceed any further 
by the Miamis. The warriors in that river assembled 700 strong. When 
he was at the fort, 15 Shawanese and Delawares arrived there with 14 
belts to the several nations to carry on the war against the English as 
well as themselves having vowed enmity to us as long as the sun would 
shine, as per journal from Capt. Morris wherein is set forth the sev- 
eral escapes he made of being scalped — A Council was held this night 
between Col. Bradstreet and the chiefs of several nations now encamped 
with us acquainting them with the above accounts. Desiring to hear their 
sentiments with regard to them tomorrow in Council. The Indians 
counciled together the chief of the night. The schooner with materials, 
etc., discovered at anchor near the entrance of Lake Sandusky. — Ar- 
rived from the Upper Huron village of Sandusky, 60 miles from hence. 



Old Fort Saiuioski of i/4§. 393 

.accounts that the chiefs of that nation were preparing to come down 
and ratify the peace made with us. 

2:2d. A Council held this afternoon between Col. Bradstreet and 
several friendly Indian chiefs. The result that 3 Indians should be dis- 
patched to see if the Delawares and Shawanese were on their Rout, if 
they were to hasten them. On examining the provisions found sufficient 
but for 20 days for the Troops. I went to the Huron village (Lower 
Sandusky), and took sketch and bearings of that advantageous and 
beautiful situation and the meandcrings of the river. Remarked that 
the left of our encampment is contiguous to the remains of an old Fort 
where the Delawares and some of the Western Indians took post to 
shelter themselves against the Iroquois near 100 years ago — this con- 
structed in the form of a circle 300 yards in circumference, one-half 
defended by the river and a remarkable hollow or gully which covers 
the left and part of the front of our present encampment. The works 
thrown up for the defence of the camp completed by the respective corps 
that were to occupy them. 

23d. No accounts arrived as yet from the chiefs of the Nations 
expected. Orders for the Troops to receive 2 days provisions and to 
cook it. The Gun to fire at four o'clock in the morning at which time 
the tents are to be struck and the whole to embark and proceed at the 
Beating of the General, a very necessary movement as affairs do not 
wear the best appearance from the delay of our enemies who were to 
assemble to fulfill and ratify the articles of the peace agreed on and for 
near 12 miles of this river is one entire Defile. Arrived accounts that 
the Schooner was drove back to la Petite Isle. 

24th. The whole returned down the river. Entered the lake, or 
rather the Bay of Sandusky and continued on it till we arrived three- 
quarters of a mile above where the French Fort stood on the carrying 
place between the Lakes Sandusky and Erie, where we encamped. A 
working party set to work immediately in clearing the ground to con- 
struct a fort on. Made the Design, marked out the work and began 
on cutting the trenches and felling timber for Stockades, etc. — Rowed 
this day to the present encampment Seven Leagues. 

25th. This morning at daybreak a long boat was dispatched to 
the Schooner with letters for Detroit where she is immediately to pro- 
ceed after delivering into the boat the materials, etc., belonging to the 
Engineers for carrying on the Fort. Arrived a canoe from up the 
River of Sandusky with advices that some of the Hurons of the Upper 
Villages had arrived at the lower one and that some of the Delawares 
and Shawanese had been there on their way to us, but that the courier 
dispatched by the officer of the 80th had sent them back for their pris- 
oners. Two Ottawa chiefs arrived in our camp on horseback from Les 
Pariries des Mascoutins up the river Miamis, confirming the accounts 
transmitted by the officer of the 1 7th to Col. Bradstreet, also that the 
Miamis, Quicapous, Mascoutins, and Powtowwattomics of St. Joseph 




The Sandusky- Scioto Water- 
Course, Showing Connect- 
ing Portage. 



had danced the war dance havmg ac- 
cepted the Belts sent by the Delawares,. 
Shawanese and Senecas before the return 
of the 2 Miamis chiefs that signed the ar- 
ticles of peace made with Col. Bradstreet 
at Detroit. — Arrived an express from 
Gen. Gage to Col. Bradstreet by way of 
Niagara by an officer -of the 46th Regt., 
who took the side of Lake Erie and for- 
tunately fell in with the Long Boat sent 
to the vessel from this Camp. Contents 
of that despatch from the Commander in 
Chief. The Disapprobation of the Peace 
concluded with the Delaware, Shawanese, 
Savages of Scioto Plains and Hurons of 
Sandusky, notwithstanding the Orders, 
"make peace with those Savages who 
should offer it," and that extraordinary 
peace granted to the Senecas and that 
branch of them called the Jennessee at 
Niagara in August after that recent and 
most barbarous stroke Sept., 1763, on the 
Niagara Carrying Place — containing also 
the absolute necessity of 12 of the Dela- 
wares and Shawanese to be delivered up 
to be put to death and advice of Col. 
Bouquet being on his march against the 
Ohio Indians by way of Fort Pitt which 
he was to leave the 1st October. 

26th. Working parties continue in con- 
structing the Intended Fort. Early this 
morning was dispatched two long boats 
to the Lower Huron village (Lower San- 
dusky), near our last encampment on the 
River of Sandusky to immediately bring 
our Indians we left there. ■ This morning 
about eleven o'clock I received orders to 
discontinue the Works, the several parties 
were dismissed accordingly. Arrived a 
birch canoe with Hurons informing us 
that 40 warriors and chiefs exclusive of 
women were on the opposite side of the 
lake at an old village on the river Poisson 
d'ontario; that they had brought some 
prisoners down with them belonging tO' 
their band. Provisions were ordered for 
the whole and sent them, in the same- 
canoe. 



Old I'ort Saitdoski of I/43. 395 

27th. Four long boats sent off for the Hurons and prisoners to 
the opposite side of the lake. Two long boats one of which a Gun Boat 
detached to the Point of the Lake with a Captain of the 80th, two subal- 
terns and 20 men to fire a gun in case any vessel arrives either from 
Detroit or Fort Erie and to be answered from our encampment. The 
two long boats sent up the Sandusky river to hasten the return of the 
Indians arrived this morning and brought several in them. A Grand 
Council held with the Indians at Headquarters. Returned the four boats 
and brought 102 Wiandots and •ne prisoner (boy) who came all on 
horses. 

7th. By the behavior of the G Nations in general now with us I 
sincerely apprehend them to be the greatest enemies to his Britain Ma- 
jesty in North America. 

Oct. 12. An armed long boat despatched for to receive the party 
where the Old Fort stood expected in this day. Strength of our troops 
present 1,400, beside 200 Indians. 

14th. An Indian confirmed this day that what I before remarked 
in this Journal with regard to the designs of the enemy who was present 
when the plot was laid which was as follows : That on our arrival at 
Sandusky, that 300 picked men should promiscuously join us in order 
to treat with us at Sandusky, each armed with either tomahawk or 
scalping knife, that they should encamp on our right and left according 
to our usual custom of encamping Indians when with us — that they 
were to dance every night, that 400 others armed with spears were to 
be near at hand and when they should find us least on our guard they 
were to tomahawk us, seconded by those without. Completed my plans 
of the south side of Lake Erie as far as the mouth of the Lake of San- 
dusky, 

Oct. 18. Whole decamped and embarked for Niagara. 

Alontresor mentions the orders received from Col. Brad- 
street to take the necessary sttpphes to build a fort at the ruins 
where old fort Sandoski stood and mentions the good clay beach 
a half mile to the westward of the old fort where the Bradstreet 
expedition encamped. On Sept. 20 he relates "that as the na- 
tions expected to ratify the treaty, proposed taking the route of 
the upper village of the Hurons, 60 miles from the first rapids 
on the river of Sandusky, the whole (expedition in order to meet 
them one day sooner at the Lower Falls of the Sandusky and also 
to be so much nearer to attack their villages on the Ohio should 
they fail to comply with every article alluded to in the treaty of 
peace. This day's route 30 miles. * * * This camp very 
.advantageously situated on a rising ground and open woods as 



396 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

per draft. The evening and morning gun ordered to be fired^ 
with the camp duties, etc., as before. Sept. 21. The Quarter 
guards of the several battalions and detachments defended by 
fleches and redoubts with six light field 6-pounders in the inter- 
vals. On the 22d, Montresor writes: "I went to the Huron vil- 
lage (destroyed by Captain Dalyell the previous year) and took 
sketches and bearings of that advantageous and beautiful situa- 
tion and the meanderings of the river. Remarked that the left of 
our encampment is contiguous to the remains of an old fort 
where the Dela wares and some of the western Indians took shel- 
ter themselves against the Iroquois near 100 years ago. This con- 
struction in the form of a circle 300 yards in circumference, 
one-half defended by the river, is a remarkable hollow way or 
gully which covers the left and part of the front of our present 
encampment." 

The above description by Montresor, of Bradstreet's camp 
in the northern portion of the two mile square reservation form- 
ing Fremont, is readily recognized. Bradstreet's army of 1,100 
men with cannon was encamped on the high ground extending 
from the present site of Fort Stephenson in a semi-circle around 
the bluff to the present Sandusky County Fair Grounds, at 
which latter point and as a protection to the left of his line 
Israel Putnam constructed fleches and redoubts. Montresor's 
description of the Indian ruins in the form of a circle refers 
to the traditional story of the free or neutral city of the Indians 
located at this point. One of their villages or forts is supposed 
to have been on the east bank of the Sandusky above the falls 
in the vicinity of what is known as the Blue Banks. Diagonally 
opposite to it on the northwestern portion of the two-mile reser- 
vation was the other free city, located as described by Montresor, 
near the present fair grounds. On the low land between 
the encampment and the river was the course over which 20 
years later the unfortunate white captives from the Ohio river 
country were forced to run the gauntlet, so graphically described 
by the Moravian missionary Heckewelder while he himself with 
Zeisberger and the other missionaries was a prisoner here eri 
route to Detroit. 

On the 24th of September, Colonel Bradstreet's command 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 



397 



LAKE Cf<l£ 




DU5 



kY 




SANDUSKY WATERCOURSE. 

Showing Inclian Trails, Reservations, and Harrison's 
Military Road from His Headquarters at Fort Seneca, 
Tlience North Through Fort Stephenson to Lake Erie. 



returned down the Sandusky river to Sandiisky 
Bay "and continued on till we arrived f of a mile 
above where the French fort (originally the Brit- 
ish fort of 1745) stood on the carrying place be- 
tween the lakes Sandusky and Erie where we en- 
camped. A working party set to work imme- 
diately in clearing the ground to construct a fort 
on ; made the design, marked out the work, and 
began cutting the trenches and felling timbers for 
stockades."' 

Colonel Bradstreet was undoubtedly forced 
to abandon his trip up the Sandusky river owing 
to the depth of water required by his large bat- 
teaux. But he had, nevertheless, taken his com- 
mand into the very heart of the Indian country and caused the 



398 OJiio Arch, and Hist. Society PuhJications. 

Indians to sue for peace and agree to restore to the whites the 
captives demanded by them as the necessary precursor of peace. 
Thus it came to pass that Colonel Bouquet with his expedition 
which scarcely reached the southern confines of the warlike 
Wyandots at the head of the Muskingum river received the 
surrender of the whites and all the glory in connection there- 
with ; while Colonel Bradstreet had the humiliation of having 
all his treaties disapproved by the British commander-in-chief, 
and actually returned in disgrace. Bradstreet was undoubtedly 
so chagrined at the treatment by General Gage that he left 
the Sandusky country hurriedly in a rage, even leaving some of 
his men who were engaged in hunting. Three days later he 
met with a serious disaster off the mouth of Rocky River from 
which place his command returned to Albany after suffering 
untold hardships. 

Our next knowledge of Lower Sandusky comes from Cap- 
tain Samuel Brady, the scout, whom Washington sent out for 
information upon the movements of the Indians of this region. 
He approached the village under cover of night, forded the river 
and hid himself on the island, since known as Brady's Island, 
just below the present State Street bridge. The next morning 
he was an unsuspected witness at a horse race. A war party 
had just arrived from Kentucky with some fine horses. They 
were lined up along the west bank of the river. A white 
mare won race after race. Wearying of the monotony the In- 
dians put two riders upon her. Still she came in victorious, A 
third man was added, which load sufficed to defeat her, and 
seemed to delight the spectators, Brady escaped that night and. 
reported to Washington that the Indians were engrossed with 
other matters than war. 

In 1778 Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton were each led 
captive through this village. Both fortunately escaped their In- 
dian captors. Preceding and following the Revolutionary War 
more Indian captives were brought to Lower Sandusky than to 
any other place. The Moravian missionaries Heckewelder and 
Zeisberger as prisoners were lodged in the houses of Arundel 
and Robbing in the spring of 1781, The two English traders 
Arundel and Robbins were settled at the Wyandot village at the 



Old Fort Saiidoski of i/45- 



399 



foot of the lower rapids of the Sandusky river, Lower Sandusky 
(now Fremont), which was recorded in Hutchin's map of 1764 
as Junqucindundeh. Here they observed the ordeal of running 
the gauntlet. Heckeweldcr in his History of the Indian Nations 
writes : 




DANIEL BOONE. 

1735-1820. 

"In the month of April, 1782, when I was myself a prisoner 
at Lower Sandusky, waiting for an opportunity to proceed with a 
trader to Detroit, three American prisoners were brought in by 
fourteen warriors. As soon as they had crossed the river they 
were told to run as hard as they could to a painted post which 
was shown to them. The youngest of the three without a mo- 



400 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



ment's hesitation immediately started for it, and reached it with- 
out receivings a single blow ; the second hesitated for a moment,. 
but recollecting himself he also ran as fast as he could and 
likewise reached the post unhurt. The third, frightened at seeing 
so many men, women and children with weapons in their hands 
ready to strike him, kept begging the captain to spare him, saying 
he was a mason and would build him a fine large house or do any 
work for him. 

" 'Run for your life,' said the chief to him, 'and don't talk 
now of building houses !' The captain turned his back upon him 
and our mason now began to run, but received many a hard blow, 
one of which nearly brought him to the ground, which if he had 
fallen would have decided his fate. He how- 
ever reached the goal sadly bruised, and 
was beside bitterly reproached as a vile 
coward while the others were hailed as 
brave men and received tokens of universal 
approbation.'' 

Heckewelder also relates how Girty, 
the white renegade, had ordered the Mora- 
vian captives to be driven on foot to De- 
troit "the same as if we were cattle, and 
never make a halt for the purpose of the 
women giving suck to their children ; to 
foot it every step of the way.'' The kindhearted Frenchman, 
Levallie, who received Girty's order disobeyed it, however, sent a 
runner to the commandant at Detroit representing the situation 
of the large band of captives and got boats to take them from 
Lower Sandusky down the Sandusky river and thence to Detroit. 
The massacre of the Moravians in their villages on the Mus- 
kingum, which occurred in 1782, falls outside the limits of this 
sketch, as does Crawford's expedition and awful death at Upper 
Sandusky in May, 1782. Crawford, though ten years the senior, 
had learned surveying under Washington and had recently, in 
his humble cabin on the banks of the Youghiogheny, been visited 
by the commander-in-chief. Butler's Rangers were sent by De 
Peyster, the British commandant at Detroit, to support the In- 
dians against Crawford's advancing force of American volun- 




JOHN HECKEWELDER 
1743-1S23. 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. 401 

teers. The Rangers were mounted and look two cannon and a 
mortar. Their horses were sent around the lake by land, while 
they with their arms and cannon took boat to Lower Sandusky,, 
where their horses met them for the advance. At the lower 
village, too, were the traders who, at Crawford's approach, had 
fled from Upper Sandusky. 

In Western Reserve 1 [istorical Tract, No. 22, entitled Cleve- 
land in the War of the Re\-<>liitinn, though the compiler is obliged 

to acknowledge ''that there is 
\^ ~ i no sign of occupancy at the 

mouth of the Cuyahoga," 
nevertheless this Tract is of 
intense interest to us as call- 
ing attention to the fact that 
the British had in 1782 "es- 
-;. lablished a post at Lower San- 

.^^*' ■ ausky," and firmly establishes 

the claim of Fremont to par- 
ticipation in the events of the 
American Revolution. The 
7 i letter is an order from the 
^^^k- .' commandant at Fort Pitt, 

C- I'.rig. General William Irvine, 

the intimate friend of Wash- 
' •■— "'"'^-^'^^""^-^ ' ington, to Major Isaac Craig, 

AiAjOR A. s. de peyster. ^j^^| contains the definite state- 

1736-1832. , , T) •^- 1 1 

ment "that the British have 
established a post at Lower Sandusky.'" It reads: 

"Fort Pitt, Nov. 11, 1782. 

"Sir— I have received intelligence through various channels, that 
the British have established a post at Lower Sandusky; and also ni forma- 
tion that it is suspected they intend erecting one either at Cuyahoga 
Creek or Grand River, (Fairport). But as these accounts are not from 
persons of military, knowledge, nor to be fully relied upon m any par- 
ticular, and I am anxious to have the facts well established ; you will! 
therefore proceeded with Lieutenant Rose * my aid-de-camp, and six active 

^Li-^ut R^, it will be remembered, was sent by Gen. Irvine as hiS'. 
representative with the ill-fated expedition of Col. Crawford against the 

Vol. XVII — 26. 



402 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



men, in order to reconnoiter these two places, particularly Cuyahoga. As 
your party is so small you will use every precaution to avoid being dis- 
covered, which service I expect you will be able to perform, as they 
will probably be relaxed in discipline at this advanced season of the year. 

When 3'ou have reconnoitered 
these posts (if any), you may try 
to take a prisoner, provided it 
can be done without much risk 
of and losing any of your party; 
which must be guarded against 
at all events, as it is not your 
business to come to action. My 
reasons for allowing you so small 
a party being to avoid discovery. 
I know your zeal will excite you 
to go to lengths perhaps even be- 
yond your judgment, in order to 
effect the purposes of your ex- 
cursion. But notwithstanding my 
earnest desire to obtain accurate 
accounts of the matter mentioned 
herein, you will please keep in 
view that I am extremely solici- 
tous that every man may be 
brought back safe, and that one 
man falling into the hands of the 
enemy may not only ruin your 
whole present business but also 
prevent future discovery. As it may be necessary for you to detach 
or separate from Mr. Rose, it will be proper for you to give him a cer- 
tified copy of this order. 

I am sir your obedient humble servant, 

Wm. Irvine^ B. General." 
Major Craig." 







'(■ ■■■■ 




^ 


Shy 




- 



BRIG. GEN. WM. IRVINE. 
1741-1804. 



In 1785 the masterful Brandt held a great cotmcil fire at 



Sandusky villages in June, 1782. He was fortunate enough to escape 
the clutches of the savages. He was by birth a Russian nobleman, Baron 
Gustave Henri de Rosenthal. Having killed a fellow-nobleman in a duel 
near the palace in St. Petersburg, he fled in disguise to America, where 
the [Revolution was in progress, and fought long and gallantly for Amer- 
ican Independence, being the only Russian officer on the American side. 
He was pardoned by Czar Alexander and in April, 1784, returned to 
Russia, married an early love and was appointed Field Marshal of the 
Province of Livonia. 



Old Fort Saitdoski of 1745. 



403 



Lower Sandusky and here formed the league which six years 
later defeated the American army under Arthur St. Clair. Within 
a year after holding- this council fire, Brandt visited London and 
was feted and encouraged by all the British authorities in iiis 
undertaking to drive the Americans south of the Ohio. St. 
Clair's defeat was followed two years later by that of General 
Harmar, and the Indians' onslaught continued unchecked till 
Maj. General Wayne on Aug. 8, 1794, at the Battle of Fallen 
Timbers, finally vanquished them with frightful slaughter. 

The Wyandots were the bravest of the Indians. "With 
other tribes, flight in battle was no disgrace and was sometimes 

a part of their strategy. With the 
Wyandot, however, it was dififerent. 
In the battle of Fallen Timbers, in 
which the strength of the confederate 
tribes was broken by Mad Anthony 
Wayne, but one survivor remained of 
thirteen Chiefs of the Wyandot, and 
he was found badly wounded," Tarhe 
the Crane. When General Wayne 
was ready to start on what was his 
victorious campaign from Greenville, 
''he sent for Captain Wells, who com- 
manded a company of scouts, and re- 
quested him to capture an Indian from 
Sandusky for the purpose of ob- 
taining information. Wells, who spent his early life among the 
Indians as a captive, was perfectly acquainted with their character 
and answered that he could capture a prisoner, but not one from 
Sandusky. 'Why not from Sandusky?" asked the General. 'Be- 
cause there are only Wyandots at Sandusky,' he answered. 'Why 
will not a Wyandot do?' 'A Wyandot will never be taken; 
alive.' '' 

General Wavne in a letter to Tarhe the famous Wyandot war- 
rior of Lower Sandusky, who had been the first to espouse the 
American cause after the defeat of the Indians at the Battle of 
Fallen Timbers, wrote: 




ANTHONY WAYNE. 
1745-1796. 



404 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

"To Tarhe and all the other Sachems and War Chiefs at Sandusky : 
"Brothers: — You express some apprehension of injury from some 
of the hostile tribes on account of the part you have lately taken. Your 
father General Washington, the President of the fifteen Fires of America, 
will take you under his protection and has ordered me to defend his 
dutiful children from any injury that may be attempted against them on 
account of their peaceable disposition towards the United States, and for 
which purpose he will order a fort or fortification to be built at the foot 
of the rapids of Sandusky on the reserved lands as soon as the season 
and circumstances will permit. 

"Anty. Wayne. 
"Major General and Commander in Chief of the Legion of the U. S. 
Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the said United States for settling 
a permanent peace with all the Indian Tribes and Nations northwest 
of the Ohio. 

"Greenville, 1st January, 1795. 

"Rd. England. 

Colonel Commanding. 

"Endorsed In Lt. Governor Simcoe's No. 21 to the Duke of Port- 
land." 

On the 25th November, 1808, the Indian tribes in a treaty 
concluded at Brownstown, in the Territory of Michigan, ceded 
to the United States a tract of land for a road of 120 feet in 
width, from the foot of the rapids of the river Miami of Lake 
Erie (now Ft. Meigs on the Maumee), through Lower Sandusky, 
to the western line of the Connecticut Reserve (Bellevue), and 
all the land within one mile of the said road on each side thereof ; 
and also a tract of land, for a road only, 120 feet in width, to run 
southwardly from Lower Sandusky to the boundary line estab- 
lished by the treaty of Greenville. 

The former road known as the Western Reserve and Maumee 
Pike was in course of time constructed and became especially 
famous from having no ascertainable bottom when used by the 
Ohio militia in the Michigan war. The road from Lower San- 
dusky south was not constructed under the authority granted by 
this treaty; but after the declaration of war with Great Britain, 
June 18, 1812, Maj.-Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, commanding the 
northwestern army, directed the laying out of a military road fol- 
ilowing the old French and Indian trail, known to historians 
as the Sandusky-Scioto trail from Lake Erie, near old Fort San- 



Old Fort Saiidoski of I/43. 



405 



dusky, thence down the west bank of the Sandusky and along the 
Scioto to the Ohio. This trail from Lake Erie to the Ohio fol- 
lowed the Sandusky-Scioto watercourse, which had but two land 
portag-es : one the de Lery portage of two miles from the lake 
at the mouth of Portage river to Sandusky bay near the mouth of 
the Sandusky river; and the other the portage of less than four 
miles from the headwaters of the Sandusky to that of the Scioto. 
Capt. James Smith, one of the early white prisoners, was taken 




PORTAGE OR CARRYING-PLACE. 

over this watercourse and portage several times during his cap- 
tivity, 1755-59- 

The old French and Indian trail later became generally known 
as the Harrison military trail of the war of 1812, and extended 
from Gen. Harrison's headquarters at Franklinton, now Colum- 
bus, the county seat of Franklin county, as well as the capital of 
the state ; from which point it extended through what have since 
become the county seat towns of Delaware, Delaware county; 
Marion, Marion county; to Ft. Ferree, 1813, now Upper San- 



406 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

dusky, the county seat of Wyandot county; to Ft. Ball, 1813, now 
Tiffin, the county seat of Seneca county; to Ft. Seneca, 1813, on 
the Sandusky river, where General Harrison made his permanent 
headquarters during the northwestern campaign. The military 
road continued thence northwardly to Fort Stephenson, built in 
1812, at Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, the county seat of San- 
dusky county ; and thence to the mouth of the Portage river on 
Lake Erie, now Port Clinton, the county seat of Ottawa county, 
near which are the ruins of old Fort Sandusky of 1745. From 
Ft. Seneca a shorter military trail was cut directly through to 
Fort Meigs, built in 1813.* From Fort Stephenson at Lower 
Sandusky, there was a trail much used by the military, extend- 
ing from Fort Meigs to Fort Stephenson and on to the mouth 
of the Huron river and to Cleveland ; and also a trail, one 
of the earliest in Ohio, from the old French fort, Junundat, built 
in 1754, up the easterly bank of the Sandusky river, to the 
Wyandot village of Junquindundeh, later Lower Sandusky and 
now Fremont. 

The suggestion has recently been made to preserve the old 
French and Indian trail, later known as the Harrison military 
trail of the War of 1812, from the State Capitol at Columbus, 
to Lake Erie at Port Clinton and the Camp Perry rifle range of 
the present day, as an automobile highway. Such a road would 
not only be of great utility and pleasure to the automobilists of 
the State, but would also preserve this historic military road made 
so famous by General Harrison, and over which his soldiers of 
the regular army, reinforced by the Ohio militia under Governor 
Meigs and the Kentucky militia under Governor Shelby, marched 
to victory, driving the British and their Indian allies forever 
from Ohio soil. A section of the original Indian trail, over a 

* On this route an enormous flat boulder was passed which was 
named the Harrison rock because of the story that General Harrison 
with the officers of his Staff used it as a mess table on his frequent trips 
between Fort Seneca and Fort Meigs. Prof. G. F. Wright, president of 
the Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society, visited the rock recently, and found it 
to be 34 feet in circumference and approximately 10x13 feet face, weigh- 
ing some 80 tons. It is of magnesian rock, syenite rather than granite, the 
syenite of Egypt. It belongs to the Laurentian age, the oldest of the 
world and came down from north of Lake Huron. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of J/.fj. 



407 



half mile in extent, is preserved through Spiegel Grove. In fact, 
since the agitation for the preservation of this famous Indian trail, 
that portion of it which extends through Spiegel Grove has been 
offered to the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society to be 
forever preserved. This gift ought to serve as an incentive to 
the preservation and marking of the entire trail. 

The gallant defence of Ft. Stephenson l)v Major George 




INDIANS AT WATERWAY. 



Croghan, 17th U. S. Infantry, with but 160 men against 2,000 
British and Indians under Proctor and Tecumseh, on the ist and 
2d of August, 18 1 3, was followed by the immediate retreat of 
Proctor's force of regulars on the ships of Captain Barclay's 
fleet down the Sandusky river to Lake Erie, where on the loth of 
September Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry captured the entire 
British fleet in the sanguinary battle of Lake Erie. General Har- 
rison ordered his entire command to Ft. Stephenson at Lower 
Sandusky and then marched down the left bank of the river to 
old Ft. Sandusky and across the de Lery portage to Lake Erie. 



408 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



The American commander followed the example of the French' 
expeditions of earlier times and caused the vessels on which his 
supplies had been brought down the Sandusky river from Ft. 
Stephenson to be hauled across the famous de Lery portage from 
old Ft. Sandusky to the mouth of the Portage river at Lake 
Erie. He further caused the construction of a fence across this 
peninsula by regiments of militia formed in column so as to 
stretch across from the Sandusky to the Portage rivers. Within 
the Marblehead peninsula thus enclosed, he turned loose the 
several thousand horses of his command to be guarded by a small 
force, while with the remainder of his command he embarked on 
the victorious vessels of Commodore Perry's 
fleet and started across Lake Erie, making tem- 
porary stops on Put-in-Bay and West Sister 
islands and then landing on the Canadian shore 
opposite Detroit. From this point he marched 
against Proctor and Tecumseh and utterly van- 
quished them in the Battle of the Thames on 
the 5th of October, 1813, Tecumseh himself 
being among the slain. On returning from his 
Canadian campaign most of his troops were 
transported across Lake Erie by Perry's ships, 
landing at what is now Port Clinton, gathering' 
up their horses and supplies, and taking up their march over the de 
Lery portage and the old French and Indian trail back through 
Ft. Stephenson to Ft. Seneca. Here many of the militia were 
honorably discharged, and the victorious soldiers of Ohio and 
Kentucky resumed their march over the old trail to the new 
State Capital at Columbus. 

It is an interesting fact that in the military expeditions of 
the Indians, French, British and Americans, in the "Sandusky 
country," the British alone used the present day entrance to the 
Sandusky river, through Sandusky bay from Lake Erie. Brad- 
street's expedition in 1764, in large, unwieldy batteaux carry- 
ing twenty-seven men each, entered Sandusky bay and sailed up 
Sandusky river as far as the lower falls of the Sandusky (now 
Fremont), in his effort to make a juncture with the Bouquet ex- 
pedition which started from Ft. Pitt. He was unable to get his- 




MAJOR CROGHAN. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1/43. 



409^ 



cumbrous batteaux over the low falls and thus it happened that 
he made his westernmost camp at this very point as previously 
narrated. Again the British under Proctor in July, 181 3, on the 
ships of Captain Barclay's fleet, after making a feint against Ft. 
Meigs at the lower rapids of the Maumee, sailed back to Lake 
Erie, around to Sandusky bay and up the Sandusky river. For- 
tunately for Major Croghan, Proctor mistook the wider mouth 
of Muddy Creek for the true channel of the Sandusky, and 
thereby lost a day. However, on the evening of July 31, Proc- 
tor appeared around the bend 
below Brady's island, of Revo- 
lutionary war fame, near 
which he anchored and disem- 
barked his troops and ar- 
tillery, preparatory to a bom- 
bardment of Ft. Stephenson 
as a preliminary to an assault. 
Cannon and howitzers were 
hauled up from the river and 
fire opened on the devoted 
garrison from the point now 
known as the British Redoubt. 
From this point the fort was 
bombarded until the evening 
of the 2d of August when the 
final assault was made. After 
the disastrous repulse which 
followed. Proctor gathered up 
his wounded, burying most of his dead on the banks of the San- 
dusky, near the present W. & L. E. R. R. cut, and sailed down the 
river to Lake Erie. He stopped, however, long enough to pillage 
the Whitaker home and destroy the storehouse out of revenge for 
the information alleged to have been given the Americans by Mrs. 
EHzabeth Foulks Whitaker, wife of the first permanent white 
settler in Ohio, as detailed later. 

The French, and later the Americans, imitating the Indians, 
employed frailer craft than did the British, and in their expedi- 
tions to and from Detroit skirted the islands or hugged the 




TECUMSEII. 



410 OJiio Arch, and Hist. Society PubliaUions. 

western shore of Lake Erie around to the mouth of the Portage 
river; whence as heretofore shown, the Indians, the numerous 
French expeditions under de Lery and others, and the Americans 
as late as 1813, under General Harrison, used the land portage and 
hauled their boats across to the mouth of the Sandusky. They 
did this rather than risk their frail crafts in the stormy passage 
of forty-five miles around the Marblehead peninsula and up the 
Sandusky bay. 

The best description extant of Major Croghan's defense of 
Fort Stephenson and of General Harrison's expedition into Can- 
ada is that contained in "A History of the Late War in the 
Western Country," by Robert B. McAfee, Lexington, Ky., a 
rare and valuable volume. 

"General Harrison had returned from Cleveland to Lower Sandusky 
(July, 1813) several days before the arrival of the enemy, and received 
at that place from the express the information that Camp Meigs was 
again invested. He then immediately removed his headquarters to Seneca 
town, about nine miles up the Sandusky river, where he constructed a 
fortified camp, having left Major Croghan with 160 regulars in Fort 
Stephenson and taken with him to Seneca about 140 more, under the 
immediate command of Colonel Wells. A few days afterward he was 
reinforced by the arrival of 300 regulars under Colonel Paul, and Colonel 
Ball's corps of 150 dragoons, which made his whole force at that place 
upwards of 600 strong. He was soon joined also by Generals Mc Arthur 
and Cass ; and Colonel Owings with a regiment of 500 regulars from 
Kentucky, was also advancing to the frontiers ; but he did not arrive at 
headquarters before the siege of Fort Meigs had been abandoned by the 
enemy. * * * 

"The force which Proctor and Tecumseh brought against us in this 
instance has been ascertained to have been about 5,000 strong. A greater 
number of Indians were collected by them for this expedition than ever 
were assembled in one body on any other occasion during the whole war. 

"Having raised the siege of Camp Meigs, the British sailed round 
into Sandusky bay, whilst a competent number of their savage allies 
marched across through the swamps of Portage River, to co-operate in 
a combined attack at Lower Sandusky, expecting no doubt that General 
Harrison's attention would be chiefly directed to forts Winchester and 
Meigs. The General however had calculated on their taking this course, 
and had been careful to keep patrols down the bay, opposite the mouth 
of Portage River, where he supposed their forces would debark. 

"Several days before the British had invested Fort Meigs General 
Harrison, with Major Croghan and some other officers, had examined the 



Old Fort Saiidoski of I/43. 



411 




RUFUS PUTNAM'S MAP, 1804. 

(Map of the State of Ohio, by Rufus Putnam, Surveyor General of the U. S. 
Courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland.) 



4l2 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications, 

heights which surround Fort Stephenson ; and as the hill on the opposite 
or southeast side of the river, was found to be the most commanding 
eminence, the General had some thoughts of removing the fort to that 
place, and Major Croghan declared his readiness to undertake the work. 
But the General did not authorize him to do it, as he believed that if 
the enemy intended to invade our territory again, they would do it be- 
fore the removal could be completed. It was then finally concluded, that 
the fort which was calculated for a garrison of only two hundred men, 
could not be defended against the heavy artillery of the enemy ; and that 
if the British should approach it by water, which would cause a pre- 
sumption that they had brought their heavy artillery, the fort must be 
abandoned and burned, provided a retreat could be effected with safety. 
In the orders left with Major Croghan it was stated, — 'Should the 
British troops approach you in force with cannon, and you can discover 
them in time to effect a retreat, you will do so immediately, destroy- 
ing all the public stores. * * * You must be aware that the attempt 
to retreat in the face of an Indian force would be vain. Against such 
an enemy your garrison would be safe, however great the 'number.' " 

On the evening of the 29th, Gen. Harrison received intelli- 
gence by express from Gen. Clay, that the enemy had abandoned 
the seige of Fort Meigs, and as the Indians on that day had 
swarmed in the woods round his camp, he entertained no doubt 
but an immediate attack was intended either on Sandusky or 
Seneca. He therefore immediately called a council of war, con- 
sisting of McArthur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wood, Hukill, Holmes and 
Graham, who were unanimously of the opinion that Fort Stephen- 
son was untenable against heavy artillery, and that as the enemy 
could bring with facility any quantity of battering cannon against 
it, by which it must inevitably fall, and as it was an unimportant 
post, containing nothing the loss of which would be felt by us, 
that the garrison should therefore not be reinforced but with- 
drawn and the place destroyed. In pursuance of this decision 
the General immediately despatched the following order to Major 
Croghan : 

MAJOR GEORGE CROGHAN. 

"Sir, immediately on receiving this letter, you will abandon Fort 
Stephenson, set fire to it and repair with your command this night to 
headquarters. Cross the river and come up on the opposite side. If 
you should deem and find it impracticable to make good your march 
to this place, take the road to Huron and pursue it with the utmost 
circumspection and despatch." 



Old Fort Sajidoski of 1745. 413: 

This order was sent by Mr. Conner and two Indians, who 
lost their way in the dark and did not arrive at Fort Stephenson 
before 11 o'clock the next day. When Major Cro^han received 
it, he could not then retreat with safety, as the Indians were hov- 
ering round the fort in considerable force. He called a council 
of his officers, a majority of whom coincided with him in opinion 
that a retreat would hit unsafe, and that the post could be main- 
tained against the enemy at least until further instructions could 
be received from headquarters. The major therefore immediately 
returned the following answer: 

"Sir, I have received yours of yesterday, 10 o'clock P. M., ordering 
me to destroy this place and make good my retreat, virhich was received 
too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain 
this place and by heavens we can." 

In writing this note Major Croghan had a view to the prob- 
ability of its falling into the hands of the enemy, and on that 
account made use of a stronger language than would otherwise 
have been consistent with propriety. It reached the General on 
the same day, who did not fully understand the circumstances 
and motives under which it had been dictated. The following 
order was therefore immediately prepared, and sent with Colonel 
Wells in the morning, escorted by Colonel Ball with his corps of 
dragoons : 

"July 30, 1813. 

"Sir. — The General has received your letter of this date, informing' 
him that you had thought proper to disobey the order issued from this 
office, and delivered to you this morning. It appears that the informa- 
tion which dictated the order was incorrect ; and as you did not receive 
it in the night as was expected, it might have been proper that you should 
have reported the circumstance and your situation, before you proceeded 
to its execution. This might have been passed over, but I am directed 
to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver that he has made 
his resolution and that he will act in direct opposition to the orders 
of his General can no longer be entrusted with a separate command. 
Colonel Wells is sent to relieve you. You will deliver the command to 
him and repair with Col. Ball's squadron to this place. By command 
etc.; A. H. Holmes, Asst. Adj. General." 

The squadron of dragoons on this trip met with a party of 
Indians near Lower Sandusky and killed 11 out of 12. The In- 



414 



Ohio ArcJi. and Hist. Socicfv Publications, 



dians had formed an ambush and fired on the advance guard con- 
sisting of a sergeant and five privates. Upon seeing the squadron 
approach they fled, but were pursued and soon overtaken by the 
front squad of Captain Hopkins's troop. The greater part of 
them were cut down by Colonel Ball and Captain Hopkins with 
his subalterns, whose horses being the fleetest overtook them first. 
The loss on our part was two privates wounded and two horses 



killed. 



8 f ^ /)u 5 1 







ENLARGED PLAN OF FORT SANDUSKY, REPRODUCED FROM de LERY 

DRAWING. 

Colonel Wells being left in the command of Fort Stephen- 
son, Major Croghan returned with the squadron to headquarters. 
He there explained his motives for writing such a note, which 
were deemed satisfactory and having remained all night with the 
General who treated him politely, he was permitted to return to 
his command in the morning with written orders similar to those 
he had received before. 

A reconnoitering party which had been sent from headquart- 
ers to the shore of the lake, about 20 miles distant from Fort 
Stephenson, discovered the approach of the enemy by water on 
the evening of the 31st of July. They returned by the fort, after 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/43. 415 

12 o'clock the next day, and had passed it but a few hours when 
the enemy made their appearance before it. The Indians showed 
themselves first on the hill over the river, and were saluted by a 
6-poundcr, the only piece of artillery in the fort, which soon 
caused them to retire. In half an hour the British gunboats came 
into sight; and the Indian forces displayed themselves in every 
direction, with a view to intercept the garrison should a retreat 
be attempted. The 6-pounder was fired a few times at the gun- 
boats, which was returned by the artiller}^ of the enemy. A land- 
ing of their troops with a 5I inch howitzer was effected about a 
mile below the fort; and Major Chambers accompanied by Dick- 
son was despatched towards the fort with a flag, and was met on 
the part of Major Croghan by Ensign Shipp of the 17th Regi- 
ment. After the usual ceremonies Major Chambers observed to 
Ensign Shipp, that he was instructed by Gen. Proctor to demand 
the surrender of the fort, as he was anxious to spare the effusion 
of human blood, which he could not do, should he be under the 
necessity of reducing it by the powerful force of artillery, regu- 
lars and Indians under his command. Shipp replied that the com- 
mandant of the fort and its garrison were determined to defend 
it to the last extremity, that no force however great could induce 
them to surrender, as they were resolved to maintain their post 
or to bury themselves in its ruins. Dickson then said that their 
immense body of Indians could not be restrained from massacring 
the whole garrison in case of success — of which we have no 
doubt, rejoined Chambers, as we are amply prepared. Dickson 
then proceeded to remark that it was a pity so fine a young man 
should fall into the hands of the savages — sir. for God's sake 
surrender, and prevent the dreadful massacre that will be caused 
by your resistance. Mr. Shipp replied that when the fort was 
taken there would be none to massacre. It will not be given up 
while a man is able to resist. An Indian at this moment came out 
of an adjoining ravine and advancing to the Ensign took hold of 
his sword and attempted to wrest it from him. Dickson inter- 
fered, and having restrained the Indian, affected great anxiety 
to get him safe into the fort. 

The enemy now opened their fire from their 6-pounders in 
the gunboats and the howitzer on shore, which they continued 



416 



Oliio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



through the night with but httle intermission and with very little 
effect. The forces of the enemy consisted of about 500 regulars, 
and about 800 Indians commanded by Dickson, the whole being 
commanded l)y Gen. Proctor in person. Tecumseh was stationed 
on the road to Fort Meigs with a body of 2,000 Indians, expecting 
to intercept a reinforcement on that route. 

Major Croghan through the evening occasionally fired his 6- 
pounder, at the same time changing its place occasionally to induce 
a belief that he had more than one piece. As it produced very little 
execution on the enemy, and he was desirous of saving his ammu- 
nition, he soon discontinued his fire. The enemy had directed 

their fire against the north- 
western angle of the fort 
which induced the command- 
ant to believe that an attempt 
to storm hi^ works would be 
made at that point. In the 
night Captain Hunter was di- 
rected to remove the 6-pound- 
er to a blockhouse from which 
it would rake that angle. By 
great industry and personal 
exertion, Captain Hunter soon 
accomplished this object in secrecy. The embrasure was masked, 
and the piece loaded with a half charge of powder and double 
charge of slugs and grape shot. 

Early in the morning of the second, the enemy opened their 
fire from their howitzer, and three 6-pounders which they had 
landed in the night, and planted in a point of woods about 250 
yards from the fort. In the evening, about 4 o'clock, they concen- 
trated the fire of all their guns on the northwest angle which con- 
vinced Major Croghan that they would endeavor to make a breach 
and storm the works at that point ; he therefore immediately had 
that place strengthened as much as possible with bags of flour and 
sand, which were so effectual that the picketing in that place 
sustained no material injury. Sergeant Weaver with five or six 
gentlemen of the Petersburg Volunteers and Pittsburgh Blues, 




"OLD BETSY. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of I/43. 



417 



who happened to be in the fort, was entrusted with the manage- 
ment of the 6-pounder. 

Late in the evenine: when the smoke of the firing had com- 
pletely enveloped the fort, the enemy proceeded to make the as- 
sault. Two feints were made toward the southern angle, where 
Captain Hunter's lines were formed ; and at the same time a col- 
umn of 350 men was discovered advancing through the smoke, 
within 20 paces of the northwestern angle. A heavy galling fire 






ATTACK ON FORT STEPHENSON. 

of musketry was now opened upon them from the fort which 
threw them into confusion. Colonel Shortt, who headed the prin- 
cipal column soon rallied his men and led them with great bravery 
to the brink of the ditch. After a momentary pause he leaped 
into the ditch, calling to his men to follow him, and in a few 
minutes it was full. The masked porthole was now opened, and 
the 6-pounder, at a distance of 30 feet, poured such destruction 
upon them that but few who had entered the ditch were fc^rtunate 



Vol. XVI T 



418 



OJiio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



enough to escape. A precipitate and confused retreat was the 
immediate consequence, ahhough some of the officers attempted 
to rally their men. The other column which was led by Colonel 
Warburton and Major Chambers, was also routed in confusion 
by a destructive fire from the line commanded by Captain Hunter. 
The whole of them fled into the adjoining wood, beyond the 
reach of our small arms. During the assault, which lasted half 
an hour, the enemy kept up an incessant fire from their howitzer 
and five 6-pounders. They left Colonel Shortt, a lieutenant and 
25 privates dead in the ditch ; and the total number of prisoners 




FORT SANDUSKY AND ENVIRONS. 



taken was 26, most of them badly wounded. Major Muir was 
knocked down in the ditch, and lay among the dead, till the dark- 
ness of the night enabled him to escape in safety. The loss of 
the garrison was one killed and 7 slightly wounded. The total 
loss of the enemy could not be less than 150 killed and wounded. 
When night came on, which was soon after the assault, the 
wounded in the ditch were in a desperate situation. Complete 
relief could not be brought to them by either side with any degree 
of safety. Major Croghan however relieved them as much as- 
possible — he contrived to convey them water over the picketing 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1/4^. 



419 



in buckets, and a ditch was opened under the pickets through 
which those who were able and wiUing were encouraged to crawl 
into the fort. All who were able preferred of course to follow 
their defeated comrades, and many others were carried from the 
vicinity of the fort by the Indians, particularly their own killed 
and wounded ; and in the night about 3 o'clock the whole British 
and Indian force commenced a disorderly retreat. So great was 
their precipitation, that they left a sail boat containing some 
clothing and a considerable quantity of military stores; and on 
the next day 70 stand of arms and some braces of pistols were 
picked up around the fort. Their hurry and confusion was caused 
by the apprehension of an attack from Gen. Harrison, of whose 
position and force they had probably received an exaggerated 
account. 




FORT SANDUSKY. 



Genera! Harrison to Governor Meigs. 



Headquarters, Seneca Town, 2d August, 1813. 
"'Dear Sir : 

The enemy have been, since last evening, before Lower Sandusky, 
and are battering it with all their might. Come on, my friend, as quickly 
as possible, that we may relieve the brave fellows who are defending it. 
I had ordered it to be abandoned. The order was not obeyed. I know 
it will be defended to the last extremity; for earth does not hold a set 
of finer fellows than Croghan and his officers. I shall expect you to- 
morrow certainly. Yours, etc., 

Wm. H. Harrison 
i Governor Shelby.] 



420 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

Headquarters, Seneca, Vl Sept., 1813. 

"You' will find arms at Upper Sandusky ; also a considerable quan- 
tity at Lower Sandusky. I set out from this place in an hour. Our fleet 
has beyond all doubt met that of the enemy. The day before yesterday 
an incessant and tremendous cannonading was heard in the direction 
of Maiden by a detachment of troops coming from Fort Meigs. It 
lasted two hours. I am all anxiety for the result. There will b? no 
occasion for your halting here. Lower Sandusky affords fine grazing. 
With respect to a station for your horses, there is the best in the world 
immediately at the place of embarkation. The Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, 
and Portage river form between them a peninsula, the isthmus of which 
is only a mile and a half across. A fence of that length, and a sufficient 
guard left there, would make all the horses of the army safe. It would 
enclose fifty or sixty thousand acres, in which are many cultivated fields,, 
which have been abandoned and are now grown up with the finest grass.. 
Your sick had better be left at Upper Sandusky or here. 

Harrison." 

Within half an hour after the above tetter was written, the 
general received the following laconic note from the conimodore. 
by express from Lower Sandtisky : 

"U. S. Brig Niagara, off the Western Sister, Etc., 

September 10, 1813. 
"Dear General — We have met the enemy and they are ours — 
two ships, two brigs, one schooner and a sloop. 

"Yours with great respect and esteem, 

Oliver Hazard Perry." 

The exhilarating news set Lower Sandusky and camp Seneca 
in an uproar of tumultuous joy. The general immediately pro- 
ceeded to the fonner place, and issued his orders, for the move- 
ment of the troops, and transportation of the provisions, military 
stores, etc., to the margin of the lake, preparatory to their em- 
barkation. 

In bringing down the military stoi-es and provisions from 
the posts on the Sandusky river, to the vessels in the lake, a short 
land carriage became necessary to expedite the embarkation. 
The peninsula formed by the Sandusky Bay on the right and by 
the Portage river and Lake Erie on the left, extending between 
fifteen and twenty iniles from the anchorage of the shipping in 
the mouth of the Portage ; at which place the isthmus on which 



Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. 421 

the army was encamped was less than two miles across from one 
river to the other. The boats in going round the peninsula to 
the shipping, would have to travel upward of forty miles, and to 
be exposed to the dangers of the lake navigation. It was there- 
fore deemed the most safe and expeditious to transport the stores 
and drag the boats across tl;e istlnnus, which was accomplished 
between the 15th and 20th of the month, whilst the army was 
detained in making other necessary arrangements. 

The Kentucky troops were encamped across the narrowest 
part of the isthmus, above the place of embarkation ; and each 
regiment was ordered to construct a strong fence of brush and 
fallen timber in front of its encampment, which extended when 
finished, from Portage River to Sandusky River. Within this en- 
closure their horses were turned loose to graze on ample pastures 
of excellent grass. The preparations for the expedition being 
nearly completed, it became necessary to detail a guard to be left 
for the protection of the horses. The commandants of regiments 
were ordered by the governor to detach one-twentieth part of their 
commands for this service ; and Colonel Christopher Rife was 
designated as their commander. In furnishing the men, many 
of the colonels had to resort to a draft, as volunteers to stay on 
this side the lake could not be obtained. 

On the 20th, Gen. Harrison embarked with the regular troops 
under Generals McArthur and Cass, and arrived the same day 
at Put-in-Bay in Bass Island, and about 10 miles distant from 
the point of embarkation. Next morning the governor (Shelby) 
sailed with a part of his troops, having ordered Major General 
Desha to remain at Portage and bring up the rear, which he per- 
formed with great alacrity and vigilance. On that and the suc- 
ceeding day all the militia arrived at Bass Island. Colonel Rife 
was left in command at Portage, with Doctor Maguffin as his 
surgeon. The whole army remained on Bass Island on the 24th, 
waiting for the arrival of all necessary stores and provisions at 
that place. 

On the 25th, the whole army moved to the Middle Sister, a 
small island containing about five or six acres of ground, which 
was now crowded with men, having about 4,500 upon it. Whilst 
the transport vessels were bringing up the military stores and 



422 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



provisions on the 26th, Gen. Harrison sailed with Commodore 
Perry in the Ariel to reconnoitre off Maiden, and ascertain a suit- 
able point on the lake shore for the debarkation of his troops. 

On Monday the 27th, the whole army was embarked early in 
the day, and set sail from the Middle Sister for the Canada shore, 
Gen, Harrison having previously circulated a general order among 
the troops in which he exhorted them to remember the fame of 




SPIEGEL GROVE, 

Showing Okl French and Indian Trail, Sandusky-Scioto Route; Later Known as 
Harrison Trail, War of 1812. 

.(Trail Runs Nearly Parallel to Cuckland Avenue for Over Half a Mile.) 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 



423 



their ancestors and the justice of the cause in wnich they were 
engaged. 

Soon after the British force had surrendered and it was 
discovered that the In(hans were yielding on the left, Gen Har- 
rison ordered Major Payne to pursue Gen. Proctor with a part 
of his hattalion. =!= * * But Proctor was not to be taken. 
His guilty conscience had told him that his only chance for safety 
from the vengeance of those whose countrymen he had murdered 




SPIEGEL GROVE. RESIDENCE OF THE LATE PRESIDENT R. B. HAYES. 

lay in the celerity of his flight. The pursuers, however, at last 
pressed him so closely that he was obliged to abandon the'road, 
and his carriage and sword were captured by the gallant Major 
Wood. Six pieces of brass artillery were taken, three of which 
had been captured in the Revolution at Saratoga and York, and 

surrendered again by Hull in Detroit. " ■ ' '^ 

... 1 

Lieut-Colonel Eleazer Wood was one of the first graduates 
of the military academy at West Point, 1806, and was a dis- 



424 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



tinguished engineer. In 1812 he built the fort at Lower San- 
dusky, which was later named after Col. Stephenson, and was so 
gallantly defended by Major George Croghan on the 2d of 
August, 1813. He was also the engineer who planned Fort Meigs 
in 1813, and participated most gallantly in its siege and also in 
the Battle of the Thames. He was killed September 17, 1814. 

Proctor's carriage, captured by Major Wood, was brought 
to Lower Sandusky, and for many years was shown upon all 
public occasions as one of the trophies of the war, second in 
interest only to "Old Betsy." 

One of the "six pieces of brass artillery" referred to above, 
is now one of the most cherished relics in the museum on Fort 
Stephenson. It is a handsome brass piece, evidently a French 
gun originally, as it has near its muzzle the royal cipher of King 
Louis of France. It was presented to King George of England, 
or was captured by him, and has the monogram G. R., with the 
crown, near its base. It was captured from the British under 
Burgoyne at Saratoga, and in common with other trophies was 
elaborately inscribed, as captured by Benedict Arnold : 



TAKEN AT THE STORM OF 

THE BRITISH LINE NEAR SARATOGA. 

BY 



October 7, 1777. 



After Benedict Arnold turned traitor at West Point, his 
■name was carefully erased from all trophies. This gun was one 
of the number so ignominously surrendered at Detroit by Gen. 
Hull, August 16, 1812, to the British Major General Brock. After 
being captured for the second time from the British under Proctor, 
by the Americans under Gen. Harrison at the Battle of the 
Thames, October 5, 1813, it was retired from active service and 
has now for more than twenty-five years been an object of the 
greatest interest in the museum on the site of old Fort Stephenson. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of I/45. 



425 



The first permanent white settlers in Ohio were James 
Whitaker and Ehzabeth Foulks, who were captured in western 
Pennsylvania in 1774 and 1776 respectively, by the Wyandot 
Indians, by whom they were adopted and taken to Lower San- 
dusky, now Fremont, Ohio, where they were brought together 
as adopted members of the Wyandot tribe. They were married 
in Detroit, in 1781, and returned to a tract of land which had 
been given to them by the Wyandots on the Sandusky River, 
three miles below the lower rapids known as Lower Sandusky. 
Here they lived and raised a family of eight children. One 
of their grandchildren and several great grandchildren are resi- 
dents of Fremont and vicinity. 

James Whitaker, who became an Indian trader, died in 1804, 
at Upper Sandusky, where he had a store ; but his remains were 
brought to his home established in 1781, where he was buried on 
a tract originally given him as a wedding gift by the Indians, 
which tract, containing 1280 acres, was set aside to his widow 
by the treaty made at Fort Industry, September 29, 1817. His 
tombstone was brought from the old Whitaker farm and placed 
in Birchard Library, just one hundred years after its erection 
'Over his grave. It bears the following inscription : 



in memory of 
James Whitacre 

WHO DIED 

Dec. 17, 1804 
In the 48th year of his age.* 



The Whitaker Reserve is of especial interest to the Daugh- 
ters of the American Revolution owing to the fact that Major 
Nathan Goodale, one of the most gallant officers of the Revolu- 
tionary army, who emigrated to Marietta with the Ohio Company 
was buried there. Major Goodale was a native of Brookfield, 

*For a full account of James Wlutaker and his family, see Ohio. 
Arch. & Hist. So. Quarterly, January, 1907. 



426 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

■Mass., but joined the Ohio Company in 1788. He removed to 
Belpre, near Marietta, in 1789, where he was captured March 
i> 1793. while working on his farm within fifty rods of the garri- 
son, by eight Wyandot Indians, who hurried him off toward 
Detroit, in order to secure a large ransom. While en route, near 
Lower Sandusky, he fell ill and could not travel. The Whitakers 
learning of his condition took him to their home, where Mrs. 
Whitaker carefully nursed him until he finally died and was prob- 
ably buried in what afterward became the Whitaker family grave- 
yard. Mrs. Whitaker said that "the Indians left him at her 
house where he died of a disease like pleurisy without having re- 
ceived any very ill usage from his captors other than the means 
necessary to prevent his escape." 

On "Croghan Day," 1885, the Sandusky County Soldiers' 
Monument in Fort Stephenson Park, Fremont, Ohio, was un- 
veiled, with Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes, late President of the 
United States, as presiding officer. Before presenting the speak- 
ers of the day, he read numerous letters of regret, among which 
was one from Gen. W. T. Sherman, which contained the follow- 
ing interesting statement as to the importance of the victory 
gained by Croghan : 

"The defense of Fort Stephenson, by Croghan and his gallant little 
band, was tiie necessary precursor to Perry's victory on thp Lake, and 
of General -Harrison's triumphant victory at the battle of the Thames. 
These assured to our immediate ancestors the mastery of the Great 
West, and from that day to this the west has been the bulwark of this 
nation. 

"The occasion is worthy a monument to the skies, ^nd nothing 
•could be m(i)re congenial to me personally than to assist, bu]t, as I hope 
I have demonstrated, it is impossible." I 

On "Croghan Day," 1906, the remains of Colonel Croghan 
were reinterred at the base of the Soldiers' Monument. The 
grave was covered with a large block of Ouincy granite bearing 
this inscription : 

George Croghan 

Major 17th U. S. Infantry, 

Defender of Fort Stephenson. 

August 1st and -id. 1813. 



Old Fort Saiidoski of 1745. 427 

Born Locust Grove, Ky., Nov. 15, 1791. 

Died New Orleans, La., Jan. 8, 1840, 

Colonel Inspector General 

.United States Army. 

Remains removed from 

Croghan Family Burying Ground, 

Locust Grove, Ky., 

August 2, 1906. 

Two cannon and a commemorative tablet mark the spot from 
which the British cannon bombarded Fort Stephenson. 
The tablet reads as follows : 

Near this spot 

British cannon from Commodore Barclay's fleet bombarded 

Major Croghan in Fort Stephenson August 1, and 2, 1813. 

General Proctor attempted to capture the fort by assault writh 

his Wellington veterans, assisted by Indians under Tecumseh. 

Major Croghan with only 160 men and one cannon 

"Old Betsy," repulsed the assault. 

The British retreated to their ships with many killed and wounded, 

but leaving Lt. Col. Shortt, Lieut. Gordon 

and 25 soldiers of the 41st regiment dead in the ditch. 

Commodore Barclay was wounded and with his entire fleet including 

the cannon used against Fort Stephenson was captured by 

Commodore Perry at the battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813. 

General Proctor, with his British regulars, was defeated and 

Tecumseh with many of his Indians, was killed by 

General Harrison at the battle of the Thames, Oct. 5, 1813. 

Major Croghan was awarded a gold medal and each 

of his officers a sword by the Congress of the United States 

for gallantry in the defense of Fort Stephenson. 

Erected by the George Croghan Chapter, D. A. R. 

A pretty little scene links that battle of nearly a century ago 
with our own present. A group of distinguished visitors one day 
entered the Blue Room of the White House, at Washington, un- 
announced, during the administration of President Hayes, and 
were surprised to find the beautiful mistress of the house sitting 
on the floor, needle and thread in hand, while before her half 
reclining on the central divan, sat an old soldier in the uniform 
of an ordnance sergeant of the United States Army. 

The callers, who were Sir Edward Thornton, the British 



428 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

Minister, with some English friends, were about to retire, when 
the lady looked up from her work, saw them, and laughingly 
called them to stay. She rose from the floor, shook hands warmly 
with the old soldier, and assuring him that his uniform was now 
perfect, handed him over to the care of her son. 

The lady was our own Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes, and the old 
soldier was Ordnance Sergeant William Gaines, U. S. Army, re- 
tired, the last survivor of the gallant defenders of Fort Stephen- 
son, who, after an active service of over 51 years, had become an 
inmate of the Soldiers' Home in Washington as a reward for his 
long service in the regular army. A full dress uniform for an 
ordnance sergeant was purchased and ordered sent to the White 
House, so that a photograph in uniform could be taken of the old 
soldier. To' his great distress he discovered that the sergeant's 
stripes, indicative of his rank, had not been attached to the seam 
of his trousers, but had been sent loose to be used at the wearer's 
discretion. 

Mrs. Hayes, who had come down to greet him in the Blue 
Room, learning the cause of his distress, at once sent for needle 
and thread, saying she would herself stitch them on. She was 
just finishing the task, sitting on the floor with the old soldier 
standing before her, when the British Minister and his guests 
entered, and caught the charming picture to carry away to their 
English home. 

The great love which Mrs. Hayes bore for the Amer- 
ican soldier was one of the characteristics of her life. The 
beautiful young wife and mother of but thirty years, was "the 
mother of the regiment" to her husband's old regiment, the 23d 
Ohio Infantry, from the breaking out of the war until the day of 
her death, nearly 30 years later, when the survivors acted as a 
guard of honor at her funeral in Spiegel Grove. Her sympa- 
thetic care for the wounded was commemorated in the oil paint- 
ing placed in the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Xenia, and typified 
her devoted service in the hospitals after the bloody Antietam 
campaign in which her own husband was so severely wounded, 

I feel sure that a principal pleasure of your conference so- 
journ in Fremont is the picture you will carry away of the beauti- 
ful home at Spiegel Grove, the home of our loved and honored 



Old Fort Sa)idoski of 1745. 429 

citizens, Rutherford Rirchard Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes. The 
hospitaHty of the Hayes home is proverbial, and many distin- 
guished persons have shared it before you. Many of these are 
recalled to the visitor by the giant oaks, the graceful elm, the 
beautiful maple and the sturdy hickory, which bear the names of 
the more prominent of General Hayes' comrades in arms, or in 
the executive office in Washington, who have been visitors at 
this beautiful' home. Almost every object in it is historic or stor- 
ied. Its library of Americana is one of the finest extant. The 
grove in which it stands is a primeval forest, full of legends of 
the Indians and their captives, and frontiersmen and soldiers of 
the early wars. The noble old mansion and its grounds will, 
we hope, long remain as a typical American home of the latter 
half of the 19th century, and as a lasting memorial to our most 
honored citizens. 



The patriotic city of Fremont, at the request of the local 
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has placed 
an historical tablet at the station of each of the steam railroads 
passing through that historic city. While few if any cities in 
Ohio can present so historically interesting a Tablet, yet the cus- 
tom is well worth following. The Tablet reads : 

FREMONT, 
County Seat of Sandusky County, Ohio 
The JUNQUINDUNDEH of the Indians, and 
the LOWER SANDUSKY of the Revolutionary War and the 
War of 1812. 
An old NEUTRAL TOWN of the ERIES used as a refuge on 
the destruction of the HURON Confederacy by the IROQUOIS in 1650. 
Westermost point reached by the BRITISH and COLONIAL 
TROOPS from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut under ISRAEL 
PUTNAM in BRADSTREET'S Expedition against Pontiac in 1704. 

A BRITISH POST established here during the REVOLUTION- 
ARY WAR 



430 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

DANIEL BOONE, SIMON KENTON, the Moravians HECKE- 
WELDER and ZEISBERGER, and over 1000 whites held here as 
PRISONERS by the Indians. 

FORT STEPHENSON built in 1812, and gallantly defended by 
Major GEORGE CROGHAN, 17th U. S. Infantry, with 160 men, 
against 2000 British and Indians under PROCTOR and TECUMSEH, 
Aug. 1st and 2d, 1813. 

SPIEGEL GROVE, the home of RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
19th President of the United States. 




